Apparatus and method for processing and/or for providing healthcare information and/or healthcare-related information

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for providing healthcare information, including a memory device for storing information for at least one of performing a healthcare diagnosis, prescribing a treatment for a healthcare diagnosis, and monitoring a treatment, a receiver for receiving information regarding at least one of an individual&#39;s symptom, an individual&#39;s condition, and an individual&#39;s illness, wherein the information is generated by a healthcare at least one of machine and device, a processor for processing the information in conjunction with the information contained in the memory device, wherein the processor determines at least one of a diagnosis and a prescribed treatment, and further wherein the processor generates at least one of a diagnostic report containing information regarding at least one of a diagnosis, a possible diagnosis, and a list of possible diagnoses, and a treatment report containing at least one of treatment information, drug interaction information, and treatment interaction information, and a transmitter for transmitting at least one of the diagnostic report and the treatment report to at least one of a user and a communication device associated with a user.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/172,555, filed Dec. 18, 1999,which teaches and discloses an apparatus and method for processingand/or for providing healthcare information and/or healthcare-relatedinformation, the subject matter and teachings of which are herebyincorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention pertains to an apparatus and a method forprocessing and/or for providing healthcare information and/orhealthcare-related information and, in particular, to an apparatus and amethod for processing and/or for providing healthcare information and/orhealthcare-related information for a variety of healthcare andhealthcare related applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Each year, tens of millions of individuals seek or need theassistance of healthcare professionals. In order to perform properdiagnoses and to prescribe appropriate treatments, healthcareprofessional or providers typically rely on information which isobtained from patients, relatives of patients, previous providers,and/or healthcare facility and/or hospital staff members. The need tohave accurate and/or up-to-date data and/or information, in providinghealthcare services and/or healthcare-related services, cannot beemphasized enough.

[0004] Stories constantly emerge about patients receiving the wrongtreatments, having the wrong surgical procedures performed onthemselves, receiving a drug or drugs which fatally and/or otherwiseadversely interact with another drug or drugs, etc., with stories goingon and on. Recently, it has been estimated that between 44,000 and98,000 individuals die, in the United States alone, as the result oferrors or mistakes made by doctors, healthcare providers, and/orhealthcare facility workers. There is no doubt that many of these deathsresult from inaccurate and/or erroneous information and/or the lack ofthe availability of correct and/or up-to-date information.

[0005] Another problem lies with the fact that the main source ofpatient information, medical histories, family histories, etc., uponwhich doctors or providers may base their diagnoses and/or treatments,are patients who usually supply this information on questionnaires orforms just prior to seeing the healthcare provider and/or during apreliminary interview with the provider. In this regard, informationobtained from these questionnaires or forms, as well as from thesepreliminary interviews with the providers, may not necessarily result insufficient, comprehensive, and/or accurate, information being obtainedregarding the patient. Further, there is no guarantee that the sameinformation will be provided, in a uniform manner, to a next ordifferent provider. As a result, patient information may not beuniformly distributed and/or be available to providers at the point oftreatment and/or otherwise.

[0006] Another problem which exists in the current healthcare system isthat doctors or other providers do not always have the latestinformation and/or research material available to them prior to, and/orduring, the diagnosis and/or treatment process.

[0007] It is also no secret that healthcare costs are rising atever-increasing rates and that insurance companies and other healthcarepayers expend great resources in processing and reconciling treatmentclaims and/or claims for healthcare services and/or benefits. Typically,these insurance and/or benefits claims take place in a paper-basedenvironment and, as a result are slow and inefficient. Fraudulent claimsand/or claims which cannot be verified pose another major problem forhealthcare payers and insurance companies. These problems only serve toadd to the growing costs of healthcare, delayed treatments, and ageneral dissatisfaction with the current healthcare system.

[0008] Another problem lies in making up-to-date training materialsconveniently available to providers in order to allow providers toremain current with state-of-the-art information and trainingtechniques.

[0009] The list of problems with the current healthcare system goes onand on. In view of the above, there is a great need for an apparatus anda method for providing healthcare information and/or healthcare-relatedinformation to the various providers, payers, patients, third partyindividuals, and/or insurance brokers, agents and/or otherintermediaries, which overcomes the shortcomings of prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention provides an apparatus and methods forproviding healthcare information and/or healthcare-related informationwhich overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0011] The present invention is directed to an apparatus and a methodfor processing and/or for providing healthcare information and/orhealthcare-related information and, in particular, to an apparatus and amethod for processing and/or for providing healthcare information and/orhealthcare-related information for a variety of healthcare andhealthcare related applications.

[0012] The apparatus and method of the present invention facilitates thecreation and management of a comprehensive healthcare processing systemwhich can manage patient and client records, doctor and other providerrecords, healthcare insurance and/or payer records, and thereby providean apparatus, system and methods for providing a variety and a multitudeof healthcare information processing applications, processes andservices.

[0013] The present invention facilitates improved healthcare quality,efficient information collection, processing and dissemination,efficient diagnosis and treatment, cost efficiency, cost containment, aswell as many other benefits and advantages as will be described herein.The apparatus and method of the present invention also facilitates thedistribution and management of healthcare insurance, life insurance,disability insurance, as well as claims processing related thereto.

[0014] The present invention also provides an apparatus and a method forproviding a comprehensive processing system which incorporates dataand/or information from any combination and/or all of the participantsin the healthcare field, including patients, providers, payers orinsurance companies, and/or brokers, agents and/or other intermediarieswho act on behalf of any of the above-identified persons or entities.

[0015] The apparatus of the present invention includes a centralprocessing computer or central processing computer system which can be anetwork or server computer. The apparatus also includes a healthcareprovider communication device or computer which is associated with ahealthcare provider such as a healthcare professional, a hospital, aclinic, and/or any other provider of services described herein. Thehealthcare provider computers) can communicate with, and operate inconjunction with, the central processing computer and/or any of theother computers and/or computer systems or communication devicesdescribed herein.

[0016] The apparatus can also include a healthcare payer communicationdevice or computer which is associated with a healthcare payer such as ahealthcare insurer, insurance company, health maintenance organization,a clinic, and/or any other payer of healthcare services and productsdescribed herein. The healthcare payer computer(s) can communicate with,and operate in conjunction with, central processing computer and/or anyof the other computers and/or computer systems or communication devicesdescribed herein.

[0017] The apparatus can also include a patient or individual usercommunication device or computer which is associated with a healthcarepatient such as a patient, user, or client who seeks or who is providedwith healthcare and/or related services, products and/or relatedinformation. The patient computer(s) can communicate with, and operatein conjunction with, central processing computer and/or any of the othercomputers and/or computer systems described herein.

[0018] The apparatus can also include an intermediary communicationdevice or computer which is associated with an intermediary, a broker,an agent, and/or any other individual and/or entity, that can utilizethe present invention in order to act for and/or on behalf of any otherindividual, party, or entity, described herein. The intermediarycomputer(s) can communicate with, and operate in conjunction with,central processing computer and any of the other computers and/orcomputer systems described herein.

[0019] Each of the central processing computer(s), the providercomputer(s), the payer computer(s), the patient computer(s), and/or theintermediary computer(s), can transmit information to, as well asreceive information from, any of the computers described herein. In thisregard, each of the computers can communicate with, process informationfrom, and/or share data and/or information with, each other and/or anyother computer or computers described herein and/or utilized inconjunction with the present invention. In this manner, data and/orinformation transfer between any of the computers can take place in abidirectional manner.

[0020] The central processing computer(s), the provider computer(s), thepayer computers(s), the patient computer(s), and the intermediarycomputer(s), can communicate with one another, and/or be linked to oneanother, over a communication network, a telecommunication network, atelephone network, a line-connected network, and/or a wirelesscommunication network.

[0021] The present invention can be utilized on, or over, the Internetand/or the World Wide Web and/or on, or over, any other communicationnetwork or system, including, but not limited to, a communicationnetwork or system, a telecommunication network or system, a telephonecommunication network or system, a cellular communication network orsystem, a wireless communication network or system, a wireless Internetnetwork or system, a wireless World Wide Web network or system, a lineor wired communication network or system, a digital communicationnetwork or system, a personal communication network or system, apersonal communication services (PCS) network or system, a satellitecommunication network or system, a broad band communication network orsystem, a low earth orbiting (LEO) satellite network or system, a publicswitched telephone network or system, a telephone communication networkor system, a radio communication network or system, and/or any othercommunication network or system, and/or any combination of the abovecommunication networks or systems.

[0022] The apparatus and method of the present invention can utilizeelectronic commerce technologies and security methods, techniques andtechnologies, in any and/or all of the instances of data and/orinformation processing, and/or data and/or information transmissiondescribed herein.

[0023] Each of the central processing computer(s), as well as each ofthe computers or communication devices associated with each of theherein-described users, patients, providers, payers, and/orintermediaries, can include a central processing unit or CPU, a randomaccess memory device(s) (RAM), a read only memory device(s), and a userinput device. Each of the central processing computer(s), as well aseach of the computers or communication devices associated with each ofthe herein-described users, patients, providers, payers, and/orintermediaries, can also include a display device, a transmitter(s), areceiver, a database(s), and an output device. The database(s) cancontain any and/or all of the data and or information which is needed toperform the various processing methods, services, functions and/oroperations, described herein.

[0024] The apparatus and method of the present invention can be utilizedin numerous preferred embodiments in order to provide a vast array ofhealthcare and healthcare-related services for any one or more of thevarious parties described herein. Any patient, user, provider, payer,and/or intermediary, may utilize the present invention in the same,similar and/or analogous manner.

[0025] The present invention can be utilized for a number ofapplications, including, but not limited to, determining and/orascertaining a medical or healthcare diagnosis, verifying and/orchecking a diagnosis or treatment, or performing a self-diagnosis. Thepresent invention can be utilized by any of the parties describedherein.

[0026] The present invention can perform a diagnosis from data and/orinformation which can be entered by a user or provider, from data and/orinformation which can be obtained from medical or healthcare devices,machines, and/or equipment, and/or from data and/or information whichcan be entered by a user or provider in conjunction with, or along with,data and/or information which can be obtained from medical or healthcaredevices, machines, and/or equipment.

[0027] The present invention can be utilized to create and maintaincomprehensive patient databases which can be accessed via a networkenvironment and/or otherwise, to perform healthcare and/orhealthcare-related diagnoses, to provide healthcare and/orhealthcare-related expected prognoses, to provide healthcare and/orhealthcare-related treatment plans or programs, and/or to providehealthcare and/or healthcare-related treatment progress reports and/orevaluations.

[0028] The present invention can also be utilized in order to providetraining and continuing education services for healthcare and/orhealthcare-related professionals, to provide healthcare,healthcare-related, and/or wellness information, to provide informationabout healthcare and/or healthcare-related patient, providers, payers,and/or intermediaries, to provide scheduling management services forproviders, to provide notification services for patients, providers,payers and/or intermediaries, and/or any other parties described herein,and/or to locate providers, payers and/or intermediaries.

[0029] The present invention can also be utilized in order to providehealthcare and/or healthcare-related claim processing services, claimssubmissions, claim processing, claim status checking, and claimreconciliation, claim fraud prevention, treatment evaluation, healthcareand/or healthcare insurance policy generation, management andadministration, provider, payer and/or intermediary evaluation, drugand/or treatment interactivity, treatment, medication and/or organavailability and/or notification services, patient, provider, payer,intermediary and/or third party, notification services. The presentinvention can also be utilized as a clearinghouse for facilitating theoffering, selling, buying, trading, and/or other commerce and/ortransactions, involving healthcare and/or healthcare-related services,products and/or goods.

[0030] The various computers and/or communication devices can beutilized to transmit and/or to receive transmissions, information,messages, and/or notification messages and/or signals, to and/orbetween, the respective parties associated with the respective computersand/or communication devices. The transmission of information, messages,and/or notification messages and/or signals can be effected via any oneor more of e-mail messages, telephone messages, beeper or pagermessages, physical mail delivery, electronic data transmission, and/orcan be made via any other suitable and/or appropriate communicationmethod and/or technique.

[0031] The present invention can be utilized in order to perform adiagnosis of a sickness, illness and/or other condition. The presentinvention can also be utilized to ensure that a proper treatment and/orprocedure is performed on the patient, and/or to ensure that asubsequent treatment and/or treatments are performed as prescribed. Thepresent invention can also be utilized in order to prevent medicaland/or surgical mistakes, mishaps and/or other instances when impropertreatment could occur.

[0032] The present invention can also be utilized to allow a subsequentcare provider to re-evaluate a patient's condition and/or records and toseek additional assistance for the patient, and/or to perform a separateand independent assessment and/or diagnosis of the patient.

[0033] The present invention can also be utilized in order to access apatient's or a client's record(s) and input information concerning thetreatment and/or procedure to be performed. Thereafter, the presentinvention can provide notification to a healthcare professional that thetreatment and/or procedure may be a prescribed treatment or procedure ora non-prescribed treatment and/or procedure.

[0034] Any and/or all processing described herein can be performed inconjunction with a patient's medical history, family history, allergicconditions information, and/or with any other information deemedimportant and/or essential in the an individual's healthcare diagnosesand/or treatments.

[0035] The present invention can also be utilized to perform treatmentevaluations and/or treatment monitoring so as to allow for an evaluationand/or a monitoring of treatment and/or for providing training forhealthcare providers and/or professionals. The present invention canalso be utilized in order to allow payer and/or insurance companies toevaluate treatments, treatment plans, treatment progress, and/or anyother evaluations and/or verifications for healthcare claims processing.

[0036] The present invention can provide treatment evaluation and/ormonitoring for healthcare payers which can be utilized for performingclaims processing, provider evaluations, patient evaluations, and/or anyother useful and/or desired purpose.

[0037] The present invention can also be utilized to create and maintaina comprehensive patient healthcare database which can be accessed by anyprovider, payer, intermediary, and/or other party or user, in order toaccess the patient's healthcare files and/or records. The comprehensivedatabase can provide data and/or information source which can beaccessed by any provider, from anywhere in the world, and at any time,in order to obtain information about a patient in his, her, or its care.Payers can also utilize the comprehensive database in order to ascertainpayment eligibility, the existence of pre-existing conditions and/or toobtain any other useful information.

[0038] The present invention can also be utilized in order to findand/or to locate providers and/or payers of, and for, respectively,various healthcare treatments, healthcare services and/or healthcaregoods or products and/or healthcare-related goods or products. Thepresent invention can also be utilized to find a payer or insurancecompany for providing desired coverage and/or for paying for certaintreatments and/or procedures.

[0039] The present invention can also be utilized to find and/or locatesupplies, body organs, blood, medications, and/or any other goods,products, and/or supplies, etc. The present invention can also beutilized by intermediaries, such as insurance brokers, who need to findcertain insurance companies and/or payers who meet the needs of certainpatients and/or clients, and/or other individuals and/or third parties.

[0040] The present invention can also be programmed to providenotification of the availability of a provider, the emergence of apatient in need of a certain care, the availability of a payer or aninsurance company to offer a policy or a certain policy, theavailability of a healthcare facility to provide certain care, theavailability of certain supplies, a body organ, a blood type, anexpiration of an insurance policy (i.e. healthcare insurance, lifeinsurance, disability insurance, etc.,) and/or the occurrence of anyevent which may be of interest to any of the patients, users, providers,payers, and/or intermediaries, described herein.

[0041] The present invention can also be utilized to scheduleappointments with any of the patients, providers, payers, and/orintermediaries, described herein.

[0042] The present invention can be utilized by intermediaries, such as,but not limited to brokers, insurance brokers, agents, and others, inorder to service their respective clients. The present invention can beutilized to prepare policy quotes, to compare available policies, togenerate and/or underwrite policies, and to service policy claims. Inthis, manner, the present invention can provide a platform for allowinga broker to provide improved services to his or her clients while alsoproviding for a more paperless working relationship.

[0043] The present invention can also be utilized to process healthcareclaims. The present invention can allow any of the patients, providers,payers, users, and/or intermediaries, to file claims with the respectiveparty electronically and/or otherwise. The present invention can providefor the processing, tracking and reconciliation, of any and/or allhealthcare claims and/or healthcare-related claims.

[0044] The present invention can also be utilized to notify any partydescribed herein, as well as any third parties, regarding any event,happening, occurrence, and/or any aspect of any claim submission and/orprocessing activities.

[0045] The present invention can also provide for automatic claimsubmission via the central processing computer once a final diagnosisand treatment has been prescribed by a provider and/or upon theoccurrence of an examination and/or the administration of a treatment.

[0046] The present invention can also be utilized, in the mannerdescribed above in connection with claiming healthcare insurancebenefits, disability insurance benefits, and/or life insurance benefits.

[0047] The present invention can also be utilized to administer and/ormaintain financial accounts for, and/or on behalf of, any of thepatients, users, providers, payers, and/or intermediaries, describedherein. The present invention can maintain detailed records of anyand/or all of such transfers and/or transactions and provide periodicaccount statements to the respective parties maintaining accounts withthe present invention.

[0048] The apparatus and method of the present invention can alsoutilize electronic signatures and/or process electronic signaturesand/or electronic signature information which can correspond to any ofthe herein-described parties in performing any of the herein-describedprocessing routines and/or functions.

[0049] The apparatus and method of the present can also be utilized as ahealthcare training simulator for any of the providers, healthcareproviders, healthcare professionals, and/or other providers describedherein. The present invention can also be utilized by any user and/orindividual wishing to learn about a certain healthcare field or topic.Data and/or information collected and/or stored by the apparatus, whichrelates to symptoms and/or conditions, as well as responses totreatments, can be utilized in order to present realistic andconfidential training scenarios.

[0050] The present invention can also provide for the security and/orthe confidentiality of any and/or all of the data and/or informationstored by, and/or processed by, same. Identification cards can also beutilized so as to store pertinent information for any of the respectiveparties so as to provide the respective party with access to variousdata and/or information and/or any processing functionality which can beprovided by the present invention.

[0051] The present invention can also utilize intelligent agents,software agents, and/or mobile agents, which agents can be programmed toact for, and/or on behalf of, any of the parties described herein. Theintelligent agent(s) can act on behalf of the respective party invarious related interactions and/or other activities which are describedas being performed herein and/or which may be incidental and/or relatedthereto. Therefore, the present invention also provides an agent-basedapparatus and method for providing healthcare information and/orhealthcare-related information.

[0052] The apparatus of the present invention can also be programmed tobe self-activating and/or activated automatically. The apparatus of thepresent invention can also be programmed in order to automaticallygenerate and/or transmit any of the emails, electronic messagetransmissions, electronic notification transmissions, and/or any of thecommunications, described herein, between any of the parties whichutilize the present invention.

[0053] The data and/or information, described as being stored in thevarious databases utilized by the respective computers and/orcommunication devices can be continuously updated so as to store thelatest values for the data and/or information and can be stored and bemade available for future processing routines.

[0054] Any and/or all of the data and/or information described herein asbeing stored in any of the various databases, can be linked viarelational database techniques and/or via any appropriate databasemanagement techniques. The data and/or information can be updated viainputs from any of the computers and/or communication devices describedherein, and/or external computers or communication devices, inreal-time, and/or via dynamically linked database management techniques.The data and/or information which is stored in the various databases canbe linked via any suitable data linking techniques such as, for example,dynamically linked lists (DLLs), linked lists, and object links embedded(OLE's).

[0055] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to providean apparatus and a method for processing and/or for providing healthcareinformation and/or healthcare-related information.

[0056] It is another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for processing and/or for providing healthcareinformation and/or healthcare-related information, in a networkenvironment.

[0057] It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for processing and/or for providing healthcareinformation and/or healthcare-related information, which can be utilizedin a number of healthcare and/or healthcare-related applications.

[0058] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for processing and/or for providing healthcareinformation and/or healthcare-related information, which provides and/orfacilitates the creation and management of a comprehensive healthcareprocessing system.

[0059] It is another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for performing healthcare diagnoses.

[0060] It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for performing a healthcare diagnosis from dataand/or information which can be entered by a user or provider.

[0061] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for performing a healthcare diagnosis from dataand/or information which can be obtained from medical or healthcaredevices, machines, and/or equipment.

[0062] It is another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for performing a healthcare diagnosis from dataand/or information which can be entered by a user or provider inconjunction with, or along with, data and/or information which can beobtained from medical or healthcare devices, machines, and/or equipment.

[0063] It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for performing healthcare diagnoses, in a networkenvironment.

[0064] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for prescribing healthcare treatments.

[0065] It is another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for prescribing healthcare treatments, in anetwork environment.

[0066] It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for providing healthcare information which canincorporate data and/or information from any combination and/or all ofthe participants in the healthcare field, including patients, users,providers, payers or insurance companies, and/or brokers, agents and/orother intermediaries who act on behalf of any of the above-identifiedpersons or entities.

[0067] It is another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for providing healthcare information which can beutilized by a healthcare professional to verify and/or to check adiagnosis.

[0068] It is another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for providing healthcare information which can beutilized by an individual to perform a self-diagnosis.

[0069] It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for providing healthcare information which can beutilized to create and/or to maintain a comprehensive patient databasewhich can be accessed to perform any one or more of healthcare and/orhealthcare-related diagnoses, to provide healthcare and/orhealthcare-related expected prognoses, to provide healthcare and/orhealthcare-related treatment plans or programs, and/or to providehealthcare and/or healthcare-related treatment progress reports and/orevaluations.

[0070] It is another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for providing healthcare information which can beutilized as a healthcare training simulator.

[0071] It is another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for providing healthcare training.

[0072] It is another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for providing healthcare information which can beutilized to provide scheduling management services for providers,payers, providers, users, and/or intermediaries.

[0073] It is another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for providing healthcare information which can beutilized to provide notification services for patients, providers,payers, users, and/or intermediaries, It is another object of thepresent invention to provide an apparatus and a method for providinghealthcare information which can be utilized to locate providers,payers, patients, users, and/or intermediaries.

[0074] It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for providing healthcare information which can beutilized to provide healthcare claim processing services.

[0075] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for providing healthcare information which can beutilized to provide healthcare claim processing services, including anyone or more of claims submissions, claim processing, claim statuschecking, claim reconciliation, and/or claim fraud prevention.

[0076] It is another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for providing healthcare information which can beutilized to provide healthcare treatment evaluation.

[0077] It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for providing healthcare information which can beutilized to provide healthcare insurance policy generation, policymanagement, and/or policy administration.

[0078] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for providing healthcare information which can beutilized to provide provider, payer, and/or intermediary evaluation.

[0079] It is another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for providing healthcare information which can beutilized to provide information regarding drug and/or treatmentinteractivity, and/or treatment, medication, and/or organ availability.

[0080] It is another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus which can be utilized as a clearinghouse for facilitating theoffering, selling, buying, trading, and/or other commerce and/ortransactions, involving healthcare and/or healthcare-related services,products and/or goods.

[0081] It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for providing healthcare information which can beutilized to ensure that a proper treatment(s) or procedure(s) isprescribed for a patient and/or that a proper treatment and/or procedureis administered to, or performed on, a patient.

[0082] It is another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for providing healthcare information which can beutilized to access a patient's or a client's record(s) and/or to obtaininformation concerning a treatment and/or a procedure to be performed.

[0083] It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for providing healthcare information which can beutilized to provide healthcare diagnoses in conjunction with a patient'smedical history, family history, allergic conditions information, and/orwith any other information deemed important and/or essential in the anindividual's healthcare diagnosis and/or treatment.

[0084] It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for providing healthcare information which can beutilized to allow payers and/or insurance companies to evaluatetreatments, treatment plans, treatment progress, and/or any otherevaluations and/or verifications, for healthcare claims processing.

[0085] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for providing healthcare information which can beutilized to allow providers or payers to evaluate treatments, treatmentplans, treatment progress, and/or any other evaluations and/orverifications, claims processing for providing healthcare and/or relatedservices.

[0086] It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for providing healthcare information which can beutilized to find and/or locate supplies, body organs, blood,medications, and/or any other goods, products, and/or supplies, etc.

[0087] It is another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for providing healthcare information which can beutilized to find and/or locate a payer or insurance company forproviding desired coverage and/or for paying for certain treatmentsand/or procedures.

[0088] It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for providing healthcare information which can beutilized by intermediaries, such as insurance brokers, to find and/orlocate insurance companies and/or payers who meet the needs of certainparties.

[0089] It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for providing healthcare information which can beprogrammed to provide notification of the availability of a provider,the emergence of a patient in need of a certain care, the availabilityof a payer or an insurance company to offer a policy or a certainpolicy, the availability of a healthcare facility to provide certaincare, the availability of certain supplies, a body organ, a blood type,an expiration of an insurance policy, and/or the occurrence of any eventwhich may be of interest to patients, users, providers, payers, and/orintermediaries.

[0090] It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for providing healthcare information which can beutilized to prepare insurance policy quotes, compare available policies,generate policies, and service policy claims.

[0091] It is another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for providing healthcare information which can beutilized to provide for automatic healthcare claim submission.

[0092] It is another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for providing healthcare information which can beutilized to provide for automatic healthcare claim submission once afinal diagnosis has been determined and/or a treatment has beenprescribed.

[0093] It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for providing healthcare information which can beutilized to claim healthcare insurance benefits, disability insurancebenefits, and/or life insurance benefits.

[0094] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for providing healthcare information which can beutilized to administer and/or maintain financial accounts for, and/or onbehalf of, any of the patients, users, providers, payers, and/orintermediaries, described herein.

[0095] It is another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for providing healthcare information which canprovide for the security and/or the confidentiality of any data and/orinformation concerning patients, users, providers, payers, and/orintermediaries.

[0096] It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for providing healthcare information which can beutilized in conjunction with identification cards which are utilized tostore information regarding patients, providers, payers, users, and/orintermediaries.

[0097] It is another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for providing healthcare information which can beutilized in conjunction with intelligent agents, software agents, and/ormobile agents.

[0098] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for providing healthcare information which can beprogrammed to be self-activating and/or activated automatically.

[0099] It is another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for providing healthcare information which can beutilized to automatically generate and/or transmit any of the e-mails,electronic message transmissions, electronic notification transmissions,and/or any of the communications, described herein, between any of theparties which utilize the present invention.

[0100] It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and a method for providing healthcare information which can beutilized in conjunction with various electronic commerce technologiesand/or security methods, techniques and technologies.

[0101] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for providing healthcare information which canutilize electronic signatures and/or process electronic signaturesand/or electronic signature information in performing any of theherein-described processing routines and/or functions.

[0102] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will beapparent to those skill in the art upon a review of the Description ofthe Preferred Embodiment, taken in conjunction with the Drawings whichfollow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0103] In the Drawings:

[0104]FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, in block diagram form;

[0105]FIG. 2 illustrates the central processing computer of FIG. 1, inblock diagram form;

[0106]FIG. 3 illustrates the provider communication device of FIG. 1, inblock diagram form;

[0107]FIG. 4 illustrates the payer communication of FIG. 1, in blockdiagram form;

[0108]FIG. 5 illustrates the patient communication device of FIG. 1, inblock diagram form;

[0109]FIG. 6 illustrates the intermediary communication device of FIG.1, in block diagram form;

[0110]FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a preferred embodiment method of usingthe present invention, in flow diagram form;

[0111]FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate another preferred embodiment method ofusing the present invention, in flow diagram form;

[0112]FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate still another preferred embodimentmethod of using the present invention, in flow diagram form;

[0113]FIG. 10 illustrates yet another preferred embodiment method ofusing the present invention, in flow diagram form;

[0114]FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate another preferred embodiment methodof using the present invention, in flow diagram form;

[0115]FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate still another preferred embodimentmethod of using the present invention, in flow diagram form;

[0116]FIGS. 13A, 13B and 13C illustrate yet another preferred embodimentmethod of using the present invention, in flow diagram form;

[0117]FIGS. 14A and 14B illustrate another preferred embodiment methodof using the present invention, in flow diagram form; and

[0118]FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate another preferred embodiment methodof using the present invention, in flow diagram form.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0119] The present invention is directed to an apparatus and a methodfor processing and/or for providing healthcare information and/orhealthcare-related information and, in particular, to an apparatus and amethod for processing and/or for providing healthcare information and/orhealthcare-related information for a variety of healthcare andhealthcare related applications.

[0120] The apparatus and method of the present invention facilitates thecreation and management of a comprehensive healthcare processing systemwhich can manage patient and client records, doctor and other providerrecords, healthcare insurance and/or payer records, and thereby providean apparatus, system and methods for providing a variety and a multitudeof healthcare information processing applications, processes andservices.

[0121] The present invention facilitates improved healthcare quality,efficient information collection, processing and dissemination,efficient diagnosis and treatment, cost efficiency, cost containment, aswell as many other benefits and advantages as will be described herein.

[0122] The apparatus and method of the present invention alsofacilitates the distribution and management of healthcare insurance,life insurance, disability insurance, as well as claims processingrelated thereto.

[0123] The present invention also provides an apparatus and a method forproviding a comprehensive processing system which incorporates dataand/or information from any combination and/or all of the participantsin the healthcare field including, but not limited to, patients andthose seeking healthcare, healthcare providers, doctors, includingmedical doctors, surgeons, physicians, dentists, psychologists,optometrists, podiatrists, osteopaths, chiropractors, pharmacists,therapists, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, nurses,healthcare aids, nutritionists, and/or any other person, individualand/or professional who can provide healthcare, healthcare-relate,wellness and/or wellness-related services and/or products, insurancecompanies, healthcare insurance companies, disability insurancecompanies, casualty insurance companies, health maintenanceorganizations, healthcare providers, and any other payer and/or providerof healthcare services and/or products, healthcare claims processingcenters, healthcare insurance brokers and/or agents , and/or any otherthird party and/or intermediary who or which acts on behalf of anotherand/or assists in to providing of healthcare and/or related services.

[0124] Applicant hereby incorporates by reference herein the subjectmatter and teachings of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.60/172,555 which teaches and discloses an apparatus and method forprocessing and/or for providing healthcare information and/orhealthcare-related information.

[0125] Applicant also hereby incorporates by reference herein thesubject matter of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/162,889 whichteaches an apparatus and method for processing healthcare data.Applicant also hereby incorporates by reference herein the subjectmatter of U.S. Patent No. 5,961,332 which teaches an apparatus forprocessing psychological data and method of use thereof.

[0126] As used herein, the terms “individual”, “patient”, “client”,“user” or the like, or their plural forms, refers to any person,individual, patient, and/or client who uses the present invention,and/or who seeks and/or who receives healthcare services,healthcare-related services, healthcare-related information, and/or anyof the other services and/or products provided by the present invention.

[0127] As used herein, the terms “doctor”, “healthcare provider”,“provider”, “therapist”, “healthcare information specialist”, etc., ortheir plural forms, refers to any medical doctor, including any and allof the various medical specialists and/or specialties, including, butnot limited to internists, orthopedists, opthamalogists, cardiologists,hematologists, endocrinologists, oncologists, ears, nose and throatspecialists, neurologists, urologists, gastrointerologists,dermatologists, pediatricians), medical specialist, surgeon, surgicalspecialists, including any and/or forms and/or types of surgeons),physician, dentist, psychiatrist, psychologist, optometrist, podiatrist,osteopath, chiropractor, pharmacist, therapist, physical therapist,respiratory therapist, nurse, healthcare aid, nutritionist, and/or anyother person, individual and/or professional who can provide healthcare,healthcare-relate, wellness and/or wellness-related services and/orproducts.

[0128] As used herein, the terms “insurer”, “payer”, “insuranceprovider”, “heath insurance provider”, “life insurance provider”,“disability insurance provider”, etc., or their plural forms, refers toany insurance companies, healthcare insurance companies, disabilityinsurance companies, casualty insurance companies, health maintenanceorganizations, healthcare providers, and any other payer and/or providerof healthcare services and/or products, who which provide and/or pay forhealthcare and/or healthcare-related benefits, services, and/orproducts, and/or who or which provide respective health insurance, lifeinsurance and/or disability insurance benefits, services and/orproducts.

[0129] As used herein, the terms “broker”, “agent”, “billing service”,“collection agent”, “manager”, “intermediary”, “assistant”, etc., ortheir plural forms, refer to any broker, insurance broker, agent,insurance agent, intermediary, third party, billing service provider,collection agent, claim processing agent, and/or any other person,individual, and/or entity, which acts on behalf of, or for, any of theindividuals, patients, doctors, healthcare providers, insurers, payers,etc., described herein.

[0130]FIG. 1 illustrates the apparatus of the present invention, inblock diagram form. The apparatus of the present invention is denotedgenerally by the reference numeral 100. In the preferred embodiment, theapparatus 100 of the present invention includes a central processingcomputer or central processing computer system 10 (hereinafter referredto as the “central processing computer 10”). In the preferred embodimentthe central processing computer 10 can be a network or server computer.

[0131] In the preferred embodiment, the central processing computer 10can provide control over the apparatus 100 and can perform any of thevarious processing services and/or functions described herein. Thecentral processing computer 10 may be a single computer or system ofcomputers and/or may be include a plurality of computers or computersystems which are utilized in conjunction with one another. The centralprocessing computer 10, in the preferred embodiment can providesservices for any of the other computers and/or computer systemsdescribed herein as being associated with any of the individuals,patients, healthcare providers, insurers, payers, brokers, agents,and/or intermediaries, described herein.

[0132] The apparatus 100 also includes a healthcare providercommunication device or computer 20 (hereinafter referred to as“provider communication device 20” or “provider computer 20”) which isassociated with a healthcare provider such as a healthcare professional,a hospital, a clinic, and/or any other provider of services describedherein. Any number or amount of healthcare provider computers 20 can beutilized in conjunction with a healthcare provider and/or group ofproviders. The healthcare provider computer(s) 20 can communicate with,and operate in conjunction with, the central processing computer 10and/or any of the other computers and/or computer systems associatedwith any of the other individuals and/or entities which utilize and/oroperate in conjunction with the present invention.

[0133] The apparatus 100 can also includea healthcare payercommunication device or computer 30 (hereinafter referred to as “payercommunication device 30” or “payer computer 30”) which is associatedwith a healthcare payer such as a healthcare insurer, insurance company,health maintenance organization, a clinic, and/or any other payer ofhealthcare services and products described herein. Any number or amountof healthcare payer computers 30 can be utilized in conjunction with ahealthcare payer and/or group of payers. The healthcare payercomputer(s) 30 can communicate with, and operate in conjunction with,central processing computer 10 and/or any of the other computers and/orcomputer systems associated with any of the other individuals and/orentities which utilize and/or operate in conjunction with the presentinvention.

[0134] The apparatus 100 can also includea patient or individual usercommunication device or computer 40 (hereinafter “patient communicationdevice 40” or “patient computer 40”) which is associated with ahealthcare patient such as a patient, user, or client who seeks or whois provided with healthcare and/or related services, products and/orrelated information. The patient communication device 40 can also beutilized by any individual, party, or entity, who or which may merelyutilize the present invention in order to obtain information ofinterest.

[0135] A patient communication device 40 may also be located at publicplaces or locations, such as at kiosks or other publicly availablecomputer or communication devices. Any number or amount of patientcomputers 40 can be utilized in conjunction with a patient and/or groupof patients. The patient computer(s) 40 can communicate with, andoperate in conjunction with, the central processing computer 10 and/orany of the other computers and/or computer systems associated with anyof the other individuals and/or entities which utilize and/or operate inconjunction with the present invention.

[0136] The apparatus 100 can also includean intermediary communicationdevice or computer 50 (hereinafter referred to as “intermediarycommunication device 50” or “intermediary computer 50”) which isassociated with an intermediary, a broker, an agent, and/or any otherindividual and/or entity, that can utilize the present invention inorder to act for and/or on behalf of any other individual, party, orentity, described herein. Any number or amount of intermediary computers50 can be utilized in conjunction with an intermediary and/or group ofintermediaries. The intermediary computer(s) 50 can communicate with,and operate in conjunction with, the central processing computer 10 andany of the other computers and/or computer systems associated with anyof the other individuals and/or entities which utilize and/or operate inconjunction with the present invention.

[0137] In the preferred embodiment, any of the provider computer(s) 20,the payer computer(s) 30, the patient computer(s) 40, and/or theintermediary computer(s) 50, can be any computer or communicationdevice, including, but not limited to, a personal computer, a homecomputer, a server computer, a network computer, a hand-held computer, apalmtop computer, a laptop computer, a personal communication device, apersonal digital assistant, a telephone, a digital telephone, atelevision, an interactive television, a beeper, a pager, and/or awatch.

[0138] Each of the central processing computer(s) 10, the providercomputer(s) 20, the payer computer(s) 30, the patient computer(s) 40,and/or the intermediary computer(s) 50, can transmit information to, aswell as receive information from, any of the computers 10, 20, 30, 40,and 50, described herein. In this regard, each of the computers 10, 20,30, 40, and 50, can communicate with, process information from, and/orshare data and/or information with, each other and/or any other computeror computers 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50, described herein and/or utilized inconjunction with the present invention. In this manner, data and/orinformation transfer between any of the computers 10, 20, 30, 40, and50, can communicate with any other computer or computers 10,20, 30, 40,and 50, in a bi-directional manner.

[0139] The central processing computer(s) 10, the provider computer(s)20, the payer computers(s) 30, the patient computer(s) 40, and theintermediary computer(s) 50, can communicate with one another, and/or belinked to one another, over a communication network, a telecommunicationnetwork, a telephone network, a line-connected network, and/or awireless communication network. Each of the computers 10, 20, 30, 40,and 50, can be linked with any other computer or computers directly orindirectly directly or indirectly with one another so as to facilitate adirect or indirect bi-directional communication said respectivecomputers.

[0140] In the preferred embodiment, the present invention is utilizedon, and/or over, the Internet and/or the World Wide Web. The presentinvention, in the preferred embodiment, can also utilize wirelessInternet and/or World Wide Web services, equipment and/or devices. Thecentral processing computer(s) 10, in the preferred embodiment, has aweb site or web sites associated therewith.

[0141] Although the Internet and/or the World Wide Web is a preferredcommunication system and/or medium utilized, the present invention, inall of the embodiments described herein, can also be utilized with anyappropriate communication network or system including, but not limitedto, a communication network or system, a telecommunication network orsystem, a telephone communication network or system, a cellularcommunication network or system, a wireless communication network orsystem, a line or wired communication network or system, a wirelessInternet network or system, a wireless World Wide Web network or system,a digital communication network or system, a personal communicationnetwork or system, a personal communication services (PCS) network orsystem, a satellite communication network or system, a broad bandcommunication network or system, a low earth orbiting (LEO) satellitenetwork or system, a public switched telephone network or system, atelephone communication network or system, a radio communication networkor system, and/or any other communication network or system, and/or anycombination of the above communication networks or systems.

[0142] In the preferred embodiment, each of the central processingcomputer(s) 10, the provider computer(s) 20, the payer computer(s) 30,the patient computer(s) 40, and intermediary computer(s), can transmitdata and/or information using TCP/IP, as well as any other Internetand/or World Wide Web, and/or communication, protocols.

[0143] The apparatus 100 of the present invention can utilize electroniccommerce technologies and security methods, techniques and technologies,in any and/or all of the instances of data and/or informationprocessing, and/or data and/or information transmission describedherein.

[0144]FIG. 2 illustrates the central processing computer 10, in blockdiagram form. The central processing computer 10, in the preferredembodiment, is a network computer or computer system, or any othercommunication device which can provide the functionality of, and whichcan be utilized as a central processing computer such as an Internetserver computer and/or a web site server computer. In the preferredembodiment, the central processing computer 10 includes a centralprocessing unit or CPU 10A, which in the preferred embodiment, is amicroprocessor. The CPU 10A may also be a microcomputer, a minicomputer,a macro-computer, and/or a mainframe computer, depending upon theapplication.

[0145] The central processing computer 10 also includes a random accessmemory device(s) 10B (PAM) and a read only memory device(s) 10C (ROM),each of which is connected to the CPU 10A, a user input device 10D, forentering data and/or commands into the central processing computer 10,which includes any one or more of a keyboard, a scanner, a user pointingdevice, such as, for example, a mouse, a touch pad, and/or an audioinput device and/or a video input device, and/or any device, electronicand/or otherwise which can be utilized for inputting and/or enteringhealthcare data and/or information, for example pulse rate monitors,blood pressure monitors, electrocardiograms, blood-sugars monitors,etc., if desired, which input device(s) are also connected to the CPU10A. The central processing computer 10 also includes a display device10E for displaying data and/or information to a user or operator.

[0146] The central processing computer 10 also includes a transmitter(s)10F, for transmitting signals and/or data and/or information to any oneor more of the central processing computer(s) 10, the providercomputer(s) 20, the payer computers(s) 30, the patient computer(s) 40,and the intermediary computer(s) 50 individual computer(s), which may beutilized in conjunction with the present invention. The centralprocessing computer 10 also includes a receiver 10G, for receivingsignals and/or data and/or information from any one or more of thecentral processing computer(s) 10, the provider computer(s) 20, thepayer computers(s) 30, the patient computer(s) 40, and the intermediarycomputer(s) 50, which may be utilized in conjunction with the presentinvention.

[0147] The central processing computer 10 also includes a database(s)10H which contains data and/or information pertaining to the patients,providers, payers, and intermediaries who or which are serviced by thepresent invention and/or who or which utilize the present invention.

[0148] The database 10H can contain any and/or all of the informationneeded and/or required in order to perform any and/or all of thefunctions, services and/or operations described herein as beingperformed by the central processing computer 10 or the apparatus 100 ofthe present invention. In this regard the database 10H can contain dataand/or information regarding patient name, patient identificationinformation, patient social security number or other identificationinformation, date of birth, doctors or providers, therapists,nutritionists, insurance or payer information, group insuranceinformation, group health insurance information, life insuranceinformation, disability insurance information, patient address, phonenumber, e-mail and/or other contact information, medical history,psychological history, dental history, family history, family medical,psychological, and/or dental history, insurance coverage, insuranceco-payment and/or deductible information, insurance information,insurance claim procedures, insurance claim forms, doctor or providerappointment schedules, past treatments, past diagnosis, symptoms,insurance claim forms, employer information, lifestyle information,treatment plans, treatment progress, broker/agent/intermediaryinformation, education information, age, sex, marital status, employeebenefits information, types or services and/or treatments needed, andany other data and/or information regarding the patient which would beneeded and/or desired in order to perform any and/or all of thefunctions, services and/or operations described herein.

[0149] The database(s) 10H can also contain healthcare and/or medicalvideo, image, and/or audio, data and/or information, such as, forexample, x-rays, Magnetic Resonant Images (MRI), CAT scans, digitalx-ray files, digital Magnetic Resonant Imaging (MRI) files, digital CATscan files, and/or any other video, imaging, and/or audio, healthcaredata and/or information which can be utilized by healthcare providers,payers, intermediaries, patients, and/or other users of the presentinvention. In this manner, the present invention can facilitate theavailability of any of the above-described video, image, and/or audio,data and/or information in a network environment. For example, a medicalspecialist can have access to, and/or review, an MRI or a CAT scan for apatient, from any location and at any time.

[0150] The database 10H can also contain data and/or informationregarding providers including provider name, provider social securitynumber or identification number, type of professional or serviceprovider, address, phone number, fax number, e-mail and/or other contactinformation, experience, specialties, insurances accepted, schedule ofcharges, financial account identification information, resumeinformation, education, work experience, claim forms, appointmentschedules, procedures performed, and/or any other data and/orinformation concerning the providers for providing any and/or all of thefunctions, services, and/or operations described herein as beingperformed by the present invention.

[0151] The database 10H can also contain data and/or informationregarding all possible fields of medicine, surgery, psychiatry,psychology, dentistry, oral surgery, optometry, podiatry, physicaltherapy, respiratory therapy, hypnosis, osteopathy, nutrition, wellness,and/or any other possible healthcare fields and/or subject matter whichcan possibly by utilized in the processing and/or operation of thepresent invention.

[0152] The database 10H can also contain information on illnesses,symptoms, diseases and/or sicknesses, theories, scientific theories,research data and/or information, diagnosis information, treatmentinformation, treatment plans, treatment processes, treatment progresses,treatment interactions, side effects, expected treatment results,treatment providers, treatment durations, treatment costs, pre-treatmentinformation, post-treatment information, treatment monitoringinformation, statistical information regarding diagnoses, treatments,treatment success rates, treatment failure rates, treatment centers,therapy plans, therapy success rates, therapy failure rates, treatmentprocedures, medications treatments, non-medication treatments,healthcare institutions, treatment evaluating criteria, treatmentmistakes and/or mishaps, indicators of mistakes and/or mishaps,corrective actions, links to providers, links to treatment centers orinstitutions, reimbursement rates, nutrition information, dietinformation, exercise information, exercise routines, treatment options,healthcare advise, wellness advice, preventive care, preventiveprocedure, health maintenance, drug and medication information, druginteraction information, video information, including video files orclips and other information, regarding illnesses, diseases, treatmentsand follow-up care, audio information, including audio files or clipsand other information, regarding illnesses, diseases, treatments andfollow-up care, treatment and/or procedure information and/ornarratives, treatment analysis, diagnosis analysis, diagnosismonitoring, diagnosis confirmation and/or checking, and/or otherinformation for providing the herein-described functions, services,and/or operations.

[0153] The database 10H can also contain information regarding theinsurance companies and payers described herein, including, but notlimited to, payer name, address, phone number, fax number, e-mailaddress, identification number(s), coverage types, policies and/orcoverages provided, reimbursement rates, patients and/or providersserviced and/or covered by the payer, policy information, claim forms,claim procedures, claim status, claim processing information, claimsubmission procedures and policies, reasonable and customary charges,co-payment information, pre-approval information and/or procedures,claim form information, electronic form claim forms, insurance and/orcoverage requirements, guidelines, and/or triggering events, coveredprocedures and/or treatments, uncovered procedures and/or treatments,claim approval information, claim approval history, claim approvalstatistics, claim rejection or denial information, claim rejection ordenial history, claim rejection or denial statistics, financial accountinformation, network provider information, network patient information,claim statistics, preventative care and/or benefits information,benefits information, benefits request information and/or claim forms,claim submission information, claim processing information, claim statusinformation, payment information and statistics, and/or any other dataand/or information regarding and/or related to payers which are neededand/or desired for providing any and/or all of the functions, services,and/or operations described herein.

[0154] The database 10H can also contain data and/or informationregarding the brokers, agents and/or intermediaries described herein,including, but not limited to, intermediary name, address, phone number,fax number, e-mail address, clients, patients services, insurancepolicies, policy information, policy quote information, policy proposalinformation, any and/or all of the above information described hereinregarding patients, providers, payers, etc. which may be of interest tothe intermediaries described herein which may be useful and/orbeneficial to the intermediaries in providing any of the functions,services, and/or operation described herein.

[0155] The database 10H can also contain contact information such asphone numbers, fax numbers, pager numbers, beeper numbers, emailaddresses, hyperlinks to, and/or any other information which canfacilitate contact between any of the parties described herein. Thedatabase 10H also includes electronic signature data and/or informationfor any of the parties, patients, providers, payers, and/orintermediaries, described herein for facilitating transactions, claimsubmissions, financial transactions, etc., by and/or between any of theabove patients, providers, payers, and/or intermediaries.

[0156] The data and/or information in the database 10H can also includelinks to any other information, information sources, news sources,and/or other information and/or data which can or may be utilized by thepresent invention and/or by any of the patients, providers, payers,intermediaries and/or any other users of the present invention.

[0157] The database 10H can also contain data and/or informationregarding healthcare news, healthcare developments, healthcarediscoveries, etc., for and including the medical field, surgical field,psychological field, dental field, nutrition field, fitness field, etc.,and/or any other healthcare field or fields.

[0158] The database 10H, in the preferred embodiment, can also containvideo and/or audio files which can be utilized for training ofhealthcare professionals as well as for providing general information toany user of the present invention. In this manner, and as will bedescribed hereinbelow, the apparatus 100 can be utilized as a simulatorfor providing training in medical diagnosing, medical training, surgicaltraining, psychiatric training, psychological training, dental training,oral surgery training, therapist training, and/or for training any ofthe healthcare providers described herein and/or envisioned.

[0159] For example, the present invention can be utilized to provide amedical doctor with a set of symptoms, evaluate the diagnosis andtreatment prescribed and provide follow-up patient conditions which mayor may not call for the medical doctor to re-evaluate his or herdiagnosis and/or treatment. In a similar fashion, the present inventioncan be used for training and continuing education and training for anyof the healthcare providers described herein and/or otherwise envisionedutilizing the present invention.

[0160] The database 10H can also contain data and/or informationrestricting access by any of the providers, payers, patients,intermediaries, and/or other users, to any of the data and/orinformation stored in the database 10H.

[0161] The database 10H can also contain information correlatingsymptoms and/or conditions with diagnoses, prognoses, and/or treatments,treatment methods, procedures, etc. The database 10H also contains anyand/or all information needed and/or desired for facilitating theprocessing of symptoms, conditions, medical histories, family histories,and other information, in order to arrive at diagnoses and/or prognoses,treatments, prescriptions, procedures and/or any other healthcare and/orhealthcare-related information.

[0162] The database 10H can also contain statistical and/or otherprobabilistic and/or mathematical information for assigning and/orcorrelating certain levels and/or estimates for any and/or all of theinformation, diagnoses, prognoses, treatments, procedures, and/or anyother information processed and/or generated by the central processingcomputer 10 and/or the apparatus 100. Applicant hereby incorporates byreference herein the teachings of Basic Business Statistics Concepts andApplications, Mark L. Berenson and David M. Levine, 6^(th) Edition,Prentice Hall 1996.

[0163] The database 10H, in the preferred embodiment, can be a databasewhich may include individual databases or collections of databases, witheach database being designated to store any and all of the data and/orinformation described herein. The database 10H, or collection ofdatabases, may be updated by each of the respective patients, providers,payers, users, and/or intermediaries, and/or by any other third party,in real-time, and/or via dynamically linked database managementtechniques.

[0164] The data and/or information stored in the database 10H can alsobe updated by and/or dynamically linked to, various external sources,including but not limited to news services, research publications,research facilities, healthcare laboratories, providers of healthcaregoods and/or services, pharmaceutical companies, research institutions,schools. The database 10H will contain any and all information deemednecessary and/or desirable for providing all of the processing and/orservices and/or functions described herein. Applicant herebyincorporates by reference herein the subject matter of Fundamentals ofDatabase Systems, by Ramez Elmasri and Shamkant B. Navathe, 2^(nd) Ed.,Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 1994.

[0165] The data and/or information which is contained and/or stored inthe database 10, as well as any of the other databases 20H, 30H, 40, and50H, described herein can be obtained from the various patients,individuals, providers, payers, and/or intermediaries, who or whichutilize and/or who or which are serviced by the present invention. Forexample, the respective patients, providers, payers, intermediaries,and/or other users, could fill out questionnaires, forms, narratives,claim forms, and/or any other information medium, in written form,electronically, and/or otherwise.

[0166] Data and/or information stored in the database 10H as well as anyof the other databases described herein can be updated by multipleparties. For example, a patient may provided medical history for his orher individual file, his or her medical doctor can update the medicalhistory information for the patient upon examining and/or treating himor her. The payer may also update the file with any associated paymentor payment-related information. Should the patient go to another doctoror different type of doctor, all previous information would be availablefor, and can be updateable by, the next doctor.

[0167] The database 10H can also contain information regarding alternatemedicine techniques, herbal techniques, meditation techniques, exercisetechniques, self healing, faith healing, and/or other non-medicinetreatments and/or techniques.

[0168] The database 10H can also include statistical data and/orinformation regarding diagnoses, and/or alternate diagnoses, treatmentsuccess, treatment failure, as well as statistical data and/orinformation regarding misdiagnoses. The database 10H also contains dataand/or information regarding experimental treatments as well asstatistical information regarding same, successes of same and failuresof same.

[0169] In any and/or all of the embodiments described herein, any of thedata and/or information which is or which may be stored in the database10H, and/or any of the other databases described herein, can be utilizedand/or can appear in any of the reports, diagnostic reports, treatmentreports, evaluation reports, provider reports, payer reports, patientreports, training reports, and/or any other reports, described herein.

[0170] The central processing computer 10 also includes an output device10I for output any data, information, report, etc., described herein. Inthe preferred embodiment, the output device 10I can be a printer, adisplay, a transmitter, a modem, and/or any other device which can beused to output data.

[0171] Any of the data and/or information for any of the patients,individuals, providers, payers, and/or intermediaries, can be updated bydifferent parities and which such updated data and/or information beingmade available to other respective parties so as to provide and ensurecomprehensive and up-to-date healthcare and healthcare-relatedinformation.

[0172]FIG. 3 illustrates the provider communication device 20, in blockdiagram form. The provider communication device 20, in the preferredembodiment, can be personal computer, a network computer or computersystem, or any other computer or communication device, which is utilizedas a provider computer 20. In the preferred embodiment, the providercommunication device 20 includes a central processing unit or CPU 20A,which in the preferred embodiment, is a microprocessor. The CPU 20A mayalso be a microcomputer, a minicomputer, a macro-computer, and/or amainframe computer, depending upon the application.

[0173] The provider communication device 20 also includes a randomaccess memory device(s) 20B (RAM) and a read only memory device(s) 20C(ROM), each of which is connected to the CPU 20A, a user input device20D, for entering data and/or commands into the provider communicationdevice 20, which includes any one or more of a keyboard, a scanner, auser pointing device, such as, for example, a mouse, a touch pad, and/oran audio input device and/or a video input device, and/or any device,electronic and/or otherwise which can be utilized for inputting and/orentering healthcare data and/or information, for example pulse ratemonitors, blood pressure monitors, electrocardiograms, blood-sugarsmonitors, etc., if desired, which input device(s) are also connected tothe CPU 20A.

[0174] The user input device 20D can also acquire, receive, generateand/or provide, data which can be entered by a user or individual and/orcan be a device which can acquire, receive, generate and/or provide,digital data such as medical, healthcare, bio-metric, physiological,and/or any other kind of healthcare data and/or healthcare-related data.For example, a user input device 20D can be a keyboard for allowing auser to input information into the provider communication device and/ora user input device can, for example, by a heart rate monitor or EKGmachine which can receive information from a patient or individual andgenerate a digital signal, digital data, analog data, and/or any othersignal, data, and/or information, which is representative of thepatient's or individual's heart rate, pulse rate, and/or cardiacactivity.

[0175] The user input device 20D can also be, or can include, any one ormore of, and/or any combination of, a thermometer, a digitalthermometer, a stethoscope, a heart rate monitor or measurement device,a pulse rate monitor or measurement device, a blood pressure monitor ormeasurement device, a blood pressure measurement device, blood analysisdevice or machine, a respirator, a respiration monitoring or measurementdevice, a dialysis machine, a dialysis device, electrocardiograph (EKG)machine or device, electrocephalograph (EEG) machine or device,electromyograph (EMG) machine or device, a magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) machine or device, X-ray machine or device, medical imagingmachine or device, thermal imaging machine or device, a heart soundmonitor or measurement device, a lung sound monitoring or measurementdevice, respiration rate monitoring or measurement device, a laprascopicdevice, an arthroscopic device, a vascular testing device, a catheterdevice, a cardiac performance testing, monitoring, or measurementdevice, a pulmonary performance testing, monitoring, or measurementdevice, a vascular system performance monitoring or measurement device,a vascular system testing, monitoring, or measurement device, ametabolism monitoring or measurement device, a sonogram imaging device,a sonogram measurement device, a sonograph device, an optical responsedevice, an optical response measurement device, an intravenous device,an arterial blood pressure measurement or monitoring device, arespiration rate measurement or monitoring device, an ultrasound imagingdevice, an ultrasound measurement device, a CAT SCAN device, an opticalmetabolism measurement or monitoring device, a radiotelemetric device, adoppler medical device, a mammogram device, a carbon dioxide detectionor measurement device, a carbon monoxide detection or measurementdevice, a transvascular impedence measurement or monitoring device, anultrasonic imaging device, a bone conduction device, a brain functionscan analyzer device, external pulse cardiac monitoring or measurementdevice, a fetal heart rate measurement, monitoring, or probing, device,an endotrachial cardiac monitoring device, a finger tip blood pressuremonitoring device, a psychological monitoring device, a surgicalinstrument, a vital signs measurement device, ear pressure regulatingdevice, phonocardiograph device, acoustic aneurysm detector device,blood oxygen detection device, esophageal probing device, ultrasonicprobing device, ausculoscope, vital signs monitoring system, heartactivity monitoring device, pulmonary activity monitoring device,sphygmomanometer, esophageal stethoscope, venous pressure measuringdevice, differential doppler device, physiological data measuringdevice, body tissue movement device, breathalyzer device, camera probingdevice, microscopic camera probing device, and/or any other bio-metricor physiological data measuring device(s) and/or data acquisition device(hereinafter referred to generally or collectively as “healthcareequipment input device”, “healthcare measurement input device”, or“healthcare monitoring input device”)

[0176] The provider communication device 20 also includes a displaydevice 20E for displaying data and/or information to a user or operator.

[0177] The provider communication device 20 also includes atransmitter(s) 20F, for transmitting signals and/or data and/orinformation to any one or more of the central processing computer(s) 10,the provider computer(s) 20, the payer computers(s) 30, the patientcomputer(s) 40, and the intermediary computer(s) 50 individualcomputer(s), which may be utilized in conjunction with the presentinvention. The provider communication device 20 also includes a receiver20G, for receiving signals and/or data and/or information from any oneor more of the central processing computer(s) 10, the providercomputer(s) 20, the payer computers(s) 30, the patient computer(s) 40,and the intermediary computer(s) 50, which may be utilized inconjunction with the present invention.

[0178] The provider communication device 20 also includes a database(s)20H. The database 20H can contain and/or be linked to any of the dataand/or information described herein as being stored in the database 10H.

[0179] The provider communication device 20 also includes an outputdevice 20I for output any data, information, report, etc., describedherein. In the preferred embodiment, the output device 20I can be aprinter, a display, a transmitter, a modem, and/or any other devicewhich can be used to output data.

[0180]FIG. 4 illustrates the payer communication device 30, in blockdiagram form. The payer communication device 30, in the preferredembodiment, can be personal computer, a network computer or computersystem, or any other computer or communication device, which is utilizedas a payer computer 30. In the preferred embodiment, the payercommunication device 30 includes a central processing unit or CPU 30A,which in the preferred embodiment, is a microprocessor. The CPU 30A mayalso be a microcomputer, a minicomputer, a macro-computer, and/or amainframe computer, depending upon the application.

[0181] The payer communication device 30 also includes a random accessmemory device(s) 30B (RAM) and a read only memory device(s) 30C (ROM),each of which is connected to the CPU 30A, a user input device 30D, forentering data and/or commands into the payer communication device 30,which includes any one or more of a keyboard, a scanner, a user pointingdevice, such as, for example, a mouse, a touch pad, and/or an audioinput device and/or a video input device, and/or any device, electronicand/or otherwise which can be utilized for inputting and/or enteringhealthcare data and/or information, for example pulse rate monitors,blood pressure monitors, electrocardiograms, blood-sugars monitors,etc., if desired, which input device(s) are also connected to the CPU30A. The payer communication device 30 also includes a display device30E for displaying data and/or information to a user or operator.

[0182] The payer communication device 30 also includes a transmitter(s)30F, for transmitting signals and/or data and/or information to any oneor more of the central processing computer(s) 10, the providercomputer(s) 20, the payer computers(s) 30, the patient computer(s) 40,and the intermediary computer(s) 50 individual computer(s), which may beutilized in conjunction with the present invention. The payercommunication device 30 also includes a receiver 30G, for receivingsignals and/or data and/or information from any one or more of thecentral processing computer(s) 10, the provider computer(s) 20, thepayer computers(s) 30, the patient computer(s) 40, and the intermediarycomputer(s) 50, which may be utilized in conjunction with the presentinvention.

[0183] The payer communication device 30 also includes a database(s)30H. The database 30H can contain and/or be linked to any of the dataand/or information described herein as being stored in the database 10H.

[0184] The payer communication device 30 also includes an output device30I for output any data, information, report, etc., described herein. Inthe preferred embodiment, the output device 30I can be a printer, adisplay, a transmitter, a modem, and/or any other device which can beused to output data.

[0185]FIG. 5 illustrates the patient communication device 40, in blockdiagram form. The patient communication device 40, in the preferredembodiment, can be personal computer, a network computer or computersystem, or any other computer or communication device, which is utilizedas a patient computer. In the preferred embodiment, the patientcommunication device 40 includes a central processing unit or CPU 40A,which in the preferred embodiment, is a microprocessor. The CPU 40A mayalso be a microcomputer, a minicomputer, a macro-computer, and/or amainframe computer, depending upon the application.

[0186] The patient communication device 40 also includes a random accessmemory device(s) 40B (RAM) and a read only memory device(s) 40C (ROM),each of which is connected to the CPU 40A, a user input device 40D, forentering data and/or commands into the patient communication device 40,which includes any one or more of a keyboard, a scanner, a user pointingdevice, such as, for example, a mouse, a touch pad, and/or an audioinput device and/or a video input device, and/or any device, electronicand/or otherwise which can be utilized for inputting and/or enteringhealthcare data and/or information, for example pulse rate monitors,blood pressure monitors, electrocardiograms, blood-sugars monitors,etc., if desired, which input device(s) are also connected to the CPU40A.

[0187] The user input device 40D can also acquire, receive, generateand/or provide, data which can be entered by a user or individual and/orcan be a device which can acquire, receive, generate and/or provide,digital data such as medical, healthcare, bio-metric, physiological,and/or any other kind of healthcare data and/or healthcare-related data.For example, a user input device 20D can be a keyboard for allowing auser to input information into the patient communication device and/or auser input device can, for example, by a heart rate monitor or EKGmachine which can receive information from a patient or individual andgenerate a digital signal, digital data, analog data, and/or any othersignal, data, and/or information, which is representative of thepatient's or individual's heart rate, pulse rate, and/or cardiacactivity.

[0188] The user input device 40D can also be, or can include, any one ormore of, and/or any combination of, a thermometer, a digitalthermometer, a stethoscope, a heart rate monitor or measurement device,a pulse rate monitor or measurement device, a blood pressure monitor ormeasurement device, a blood pressure measurement device, a bloodanalysis device or machine, a respirator, a respiration monitoring ormeasurement device, a dialysis machine, a dialysis device,electrocardiograph(EKG) machine or device, electrocephalograph (EEG)machine or device, electromyograph (EMG) machine or device, a magneticresonance imaging (MRI) machine or device, X-ray machine or device,medical imaging machine or device, thermal imaging machine or device, aheart sound monitor or measurement device, a lung sound monitoring ormeasurement device, respiration rate monitoring or measurement device, alaprascopic device, an arthroscopic device, a vascular testing device, acatheter device, a cardiac performance testing, monitoring, ormeasurement device, a pulmonary performance testing, monitoring, ormeasurement device, a vascular system performance monitoring ormeasurement device, a vascular system testing, monitoring, ormeasurement device, a metabolism monitoring or measurement device, asonogram imaging device, a sonogram measurement device, a sonographdevice, an optical response device, an optical response measurementdevice, an intravenous device, an arterial blood pressure measurement ormonitoring device, a respiration rate measurement or monitoring device,an ultrasound imaging device, an ultrasound measurement device, a CATSCAN device, an optical metabolism measurement or monitoring device, aradiotelemetric device, a doppler medical device, a mammogram device, acarbon dioxide detection or measurement device, a carbon monoxidedetection or measurement device, a transvascular impedence measurementor monitoring device, an ultrasonic imaging device, a bone conductiondevice, a brain function scan analyzer device, external pulse cardiacmonitoring or measurement device, a fetal heart rate measurement,monitoring, or probing, device, an endotrachial cardiac monitoringdevice, a finger tip blood pressure monitoring device, a psychologicalmonitoring device, a surgical instrument, a vital signs measurementdevice, ear pressure regulating device, phonocardiograph device,acoustic aneurysm detector device, blood oxygen detection device,esophageal probing device, ultrasonic probing device, ausculoscope,vital signs monitoring system, heart activity monitoring device,pulmonary activity monitoring device, sphygmomanometer, esophagealstethoscope, venous pressure measuring device, differential dopplerdevice, physiological data measuring device, body tissue movementdevice, breathalyzer device, camera probing device, microscopic cameraprobing device, and/or any other bio-metric or physiological datameasuring device(s) and/or data acquisition device data acquisitiondevice (hereinafter referred to generally or collectively as “healthcareequipment input device”, “healthcare measurement input device”, or“healthcare monitoring input device”).

[0189] The patient communication device 20 also includes a displaydevice 40E for displaying data and/or information to a user or operator.

[0190] The patient communication device 40 also includes atransmitter(s) 40F, for transmitting signals and/or data and/orinformation to any one or more of the central processing computer(s) 10,the provider computer(s) 20, the payer computers(s) 30, the patientcomputer(s) 40, and the intermediary computer(s) 50 individualcomputer(s), which may be utilized in conjunction with the presentinvention. The patient communication device 40 also includes a receiver40G, for receiving signals and/or data and/or information from any oneor more of the central processing computer(s) 10, the providercomputer(s) 20, the payer computers(s) 30, the patient computer(s) 40,and the intermediary computer(s) 50, which may be utilized inconjunction with the present invention.

[0191] The patient communication device 40 also includes a database(s)40H. The database 40H can contain and/or be linked to any of the dataand/or information described herein as being stored in the database 10H.

[0192] The patient communication device 40 also includes an outputdevice 40I for output any data, information, report, etc., describedherein. In the preferred embodiment, the output device 40I can be aprinter, a display, a transmitter, a modem, and/or any other devicewhich can be used to output data.

[0193]FIG. 6 illustrates the intermediary computer 50, in block diagramform. The intermediary computer 50, in the preferred embodiment, can bepersonal computer, a network computer or computer system, or any othercomputer or communication device, which is utilized as an intermediarycomputer 50. In the preferred embodiment, the intermediary computer 50includes a central processing unit or CPU 50A, which in the preferredembodiment, is a microprocessor. The CPU 50A may also be amicrocomputer, a minicomputer, a macro-computer, and/or a mainframecomputer, depending upon the application.

[0194] The intermediary computer 50 also includes a random access memorydevice(s) 50B (RAM) and a read only memory device(s) 50C (ROM), each ofwhich is connected to the CPU 50A, a user input device 50D, for enteringdata and/or commands into the intermediary computer 50, which includesany one or more of a keyboard, a scanner, a user pointing device, suchas, for example, a mouse, a touch pad, and/or an audio input deviceand/or a video input device, and/or any device, electronic and/orotherwise which can be utilized for inputting and/or entering healthcaredata and/or information, for example pulse rate monitors, blood pressuremonitors, electrocardiograms, blood-sugars monitors, etc., if desired,which input device(s) are also connected to the CPU 50A. Theintermediary computer 50 also includes a display device 50E fordisplaying data and/or information to a user or operator.

[0195] The intermediary computer 50 also includes a transmitter(s) 50F,for transmitting signals and/or data and/or information to any one ormore of the central processing computer(s) 10, the provider computer(s)20, the payer computers(s) 30, the patient computer(s) 40, and theintermediary computer(s) 50 individual computer(s), which may beutilized in conjunction with the present invention. The intermediarycomputer 50 also includes a receiver 50G, for receiving signals and/ordata and/or information from any one or more of the central processingcomputer(s) 10, the provider computer(s) 20, the payer computers(s) 30,the patient computer(s) 40, and the intermediary computer(s) 50, whichmay be utilized in conjunction with the present invention.

[0196] The provider communication device 50 also includes a database(s)50H. The database 50H can contain and/or be linked to any of the dataand/or information described herein as being stored in the database 10H.

[0197] The intermediary communication device 50 also includes an outputdevice 50I for output any data, information, report, etc., describedherein. In the preferred embodiment, the output device 50I can be aprinter, a display, a transmitter, a modem, and/or any other devicewhich can be used to output data.

[0198] In any and/or all of the embodiments described herein, any one ofthe central processing computers 10, the provider communication devices20, the payer communication devices 30, the patient communicationdevices 40, and/or the intermediary communication devices 50, caninclude input devices (not shown) for facilitating the data entry of apatients vital signs and or other medical data such as, but not limitedto, pulse rate, blood pressure, blood-sugar level, etc., and any otherdata and or information which can be input into the repective computerand/or communication device and be transmitted to the central processingcomputer consistent with the utilization of the present invention asdescribed herein.

[0199] The apparatus and method of the present invention can be utilizedin numerous preferred embodiments in order to provide a vast array ofhealthcare and healthcare-related services for any one or more of thevarious parties described herein. While certain of the preferredembodiments may be described with regards to utilization by a particularparty, it is important to note that any patient, user, provider, payer,and/or intermediary may utilize the present invention in the same,similar and/or analogous manner. For example, a preferred embodiment fordetermining and/or ascertaining a medical diagnosis can be described asbeing utilized by a treating physician as well as be utilized by aprovider to verify and/or check a diagnosis as well as by a patient orother user or individual in order to perform a self-diagnosis or doublecheck a doctors diagnosis. In the same manner, any other preferredembodiment and/or other uses of the present invention can be utilized byany of the parties described herein.

[0200] The present invention, in its various preferred embodiments canbe utilized to create and maintain comprehensive patient databases whichcan be accessed via a network environment and/or otherwise, to performhealthcare and/or healthcare-related diagnoses, to provide healthcareand/or healthcare-related expected prognoses, to provide healthcareand/or healthcare-related treatment plans or programs, and/or to providehealthcare and/or healthcare-related treatment progress reports and/orevaluations.

[0201] The present invention can also be utilized in order to providetraining and continuing education services for healthcare and/orhealthcare-related professionals, to provide healthcare,healthcare-related, and/or wellness information, to provide informationabout healthcare and/or healthcare-related patient, providers, payers,and/or intermediaries, to provide scheduling management services forproviders, to provide notification services for patients, providers,payers and/or intermediaries and/or any other parties described herein,and/or to locate providers, payers and/or intermediaries.

[0202] The present invention can also be utilized, in preferredembodiments, in order to healthcare and/or healthcare-related claimprocessing services, claims submissions, claim processing, claim statuschecking, and claim reconciliation, claim fraud prevention, treatmentevaluation, healthcare and/or healthcare insurance policy generation,management and administration, provider, payer and/or intermediaryevaluation, drug and/or treatment interactivity, treatment, medicationand/or organ availability and/or notification services, patient,provider, payer, intermediary, and/or third party, notificationservices.

[0203] The present invention can also be utilized as a clearinghouse forfacilitating the offering, selling, buying, trading, and/or othercommerce and/or transactions, involving healthcare and/orhealthcare-related services, products and/or goods.

[0204] In any and/or all of the embodiments described herein, thevarious computers and/or communication devices 10, 20, 30, 40 and/or 50,can be utilized to transmit and/or to receive transmissions,information, messages, and/or notification messages and/or signals to,and/or between, the respective parties associated with the respectivecomputers and/or communication devices. The transmission of information,messages, and/or notification messages and/or signals, in any and/or allof the embodiments described herein can be effected via any one or moreof e-mail messages, telephone messages, beeper or pager messages,physical mail delivery, electronic data transmission, and/or can be madevia any other suitable and/or appropriate communication method and/ortechnique.

[0205] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention can be utilizedin order to perform a diagnosis of a sickness, illness and/or othercondition. FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a preferred embodiment method ofusing the present invention, in block diagram form. While the method ofFIGS. 7A and 7B is described in the context of a medical doctorperforming a diagnosis of a medical condition, the method of FIGS. 7Aand 7B can be similarly utilized by surgeons, psychologists,psychiatrists, dentists, and/or any other healthcare provider orhealthcare professional described herein. The method of FIGS. 7A and 7Bmay also be utilized by any user, patient, provider, payer, and/orintermediary in order to ascertain a diagnosis and/or in order to checkon, verify, and/or ascertain the correctness of a diagnosis of another.

[0206] The operation of the apparatus 100 commences at step 700. At step701, the provider can access the central processing computer 10 andenter data and/or information regarding the patient. At step 702, thecentral processing computer 10 will determine if a file and/or medicalhistory exists for the patient. If, at step 702, it is determined that amedical history does not exist, the central processing computer 10 will,at step 703, request that a medical history, family history and/or otherinformation related thereto be provided by the patient or accompanyingindividual. At step 703, the information provided by the patient oraccompanying individual will then be entered via the providercommunication device 20 and transmitted to, and be stored at, thecentral processing computer 10. Thereafter, processing will proceed tostep 704.

[0207] If, at step 702, it is determined that a patient's medicalhistory does in fact exist, the processing will proceed to step 704. Atstep 704, the patient's symptoms, if any, and/or examination findings,are obtained from the patient and are transmitted from the providercommunication device 20 to the central processing computer 10.

[0208] At step 704, data and/or information which can be obtained viaany of the herein-described healthcare equipment input devices 20D,healthcare measurement input devices 20D, or healthcare monitoring inputdevices 20D, can also be transmitted to the central processing computer10. The data and/or information obtained via any of the describedhealthcare equipment input devices 20D, healthcare measurement inputdevices 20D, or healthcare monitoring input devices 20D, can betransmitted from the from the provider communication device 20 to thecentral processing computer 10.

[0209] In this manner, the data and/or information which is transmittedto the central processing computer 10, at step 704, can include provideror user entered data and/or information, which can be entered via theuser input device 20D such as a keyboard, a mouse, a cardreader, orother input device which can be utilized in conjunction with a computeror a communication device, and/or can include data and/or informationwhich can be obtained and/or acquired by any of the herein-describedhealthcare equipment input devices 20D, healthcare measurement inputdevices 20D, or healthcare monitoring input devices 20D.

[0210] In a preferred embodiment, both provider or user entered dataand/or information obtained and/or acquired by any of theherein-described healthcare equipment input devices 20D, healthcaremeasurement input devices 20D, or healthcare monitoring input devices20D, can be utilized in performing a patient diagnosis. In anotherpreferred embodiment, only data and/or information obtained and/oracquired by any of the herein-described healthcare equipment inputdevices 20D, healthcare measurement input devices 20D, or healthcaremonitoring input devices 20D, can be utilized in performing a patientdiagnosis. In another preferred embodiment, only provider or userentered data and/or information can be utilized in performing a patientdiagnosis.

[0211] The central processing computer 10 will, at step 705 receive andprocess the patient symptoms, if any, examination findings, and/or anyother data and/or information, in conjunction with the patient's medicalhistory and/or other information, medical theories, principles, criteriaand/or other medical information needed to make a diagnosis. At step705, the central processing computer 10 will perform a comprehensivediagnostic evaluation of the patient's symptoms, if any, and/or theexamination findings.

[0212] As described above, the diagnostic evaluation or diagnosis can bebased upon both provider or user entered data and/or information anddata and/or information obtained or acquired by any of theherein-described healthcare equipment input devices 20D, healthcaremeasurement input devices 20D, or healthcare monitoring input devices20D, can be based upon only data and/or information obtained and/oracquired by any of the herein-described healthcare equipment inputdevices 20D, healthcare measurement input devices 20D, or healthcaremonitoring input devices 20D, or can be based upon only provider or userentered data and/or information.

[0213] For example, a provider can enter patient symptom informationalong with patient data obtained from any of the herein-describedhealthcare equipment input devices 20D, healthcare measurement inputdevices 20D, or healthcare monitoring input devices 20D. A diagnosiscan, thereafter, be processed utilizing data obtained from both theprovider and any of the herein-described healthcare equipment inputdevices 20D, healthcare measurement input devices 20D, or healthcaremonitoring input devices 20D.

[0214] Patient data can also be obtained solely from any of theherein-described healthcare equipment input devices 20D, healthcaremeasurement input devices 20D, or healthcare monitoring input devices20D, with such patient data being utilized in order to arrive at adiagnosis. Patient data, in another preferred embodiment, can also beobtained solely from a provider or the patient himself or herself. Apatient can also utilized the apparatus in conjunction with homehealthcare equipment input devices, healthcare measurement inputdevices, or healthcare monitoring input devices.

[0215] At step 706, the central processing computer 10 will generate adiagnostic report which can include a diagnosis of the patient'scondition, if needed. The diagnostic report which is generated at step706 can, if needed, include a single diagnosis and/or a list of possiblediagnoses, along with their respective probabilities of occurrenceand/or statistical information corresponding thereto, which may pertainto the patient's condition. At step 707, the central processing computer10 will then generate a treatment report which will outline and/orprescribe treatment for the single diagnosis and/or for the list ofpossible diagnoses, if any. The central processing computer 10, whengenerating the treatment report, can process same in conjunction with,and consider, possible drug interactions and/or treatment interactions.

[0216] At step 708, the central processing computer 10 will transmit thediagnostic report and/or treatment report to the provider'scommunication device 20 at which point the medical doctor can obtain thediagnosis or possible diagnoses, if any, and corresponding treatmentplans. The medical doctor can then, at step 709, review the diagnosticreport and/or treatment report and choose the a final diagnosis and/ortreatment plan, if needed, to administer to the patient.

[0217] At step 710, the medical doctor will transmit the final diagnosisand treatment plan, including the prescribed treatment and/or treatmentplan, if any, to the central processing computer 10. At step 711, thecentral processing computer 10 will then update the patient's records inthe database 10H so as to include all of the data and informationdescribed as being processed and/or generated by the central processingcomputer 10, including, but not limited to the patient's symptoms, ifany, the examination findings, the information contained in thediagnostic report and the treatment report, the final diagnosis and theprescribed treatment.

[0218] Thereafter, operation of the apparatus 100 will cease at step712. The patient's records will then be updated and be available for thepatient's next treatment and/or diagnosis.

[0219] In another preferred embodiment, the diagnostic report and/ortreatment reports can be accompanied by medical information, textbookmaterials, laboratory materials, reference materials, video clips of anypertinent information, audio clips of any pertinent information,hyperlinks to informational sources, information regarding providersand/or facilities for obtaining treatment and/or therapy, providerand/or facility contact information, and/or any other pertinent and/orrelevant information.

[0220] In another preferred embodiment, the diagnostic report and/ortreatment reports can be accompanied by health and/or wellnessinformation which can include suggestions for health and/or wellnessfoods, goods, products, and/or services. The diagnostic report and/ortreatment reports can also be accompanied by health and/or fitnessinformation, diets, nutritional information, and/or any otherinformation which may be of assistance to the patient and/or provider.The diagnostic and/or treatment reports can also contain warningsregarding misdiagnoses, warnings about treatments, information aboutexperimental treatments, etc. The diagnostic and/or treatment reportscan also contain information, statistical and/or otherwise, regardingdiagnoses, misdiagnoses, treatment successes, and/or treatment failures.The diagnostic and/or treatment reports can also contain informationregarding alternate medicine such as treatments regarding herbalremedies and/or treatments, meditation, self-healing, faith healing,yoga, tai chi, exercise therapy, and/or other therapies and/or therapytypes.

[0221] As noted above, the method of utilizing the present invention, asdescribed in FIGS. 7A and 7B, is equally applicable to, and can beutilized in the same manner, by any and/or all of the respectivehealthcare providers, professionals, and/or related providers. Theapparatus of FIGS. 7A and 7B can also be utilized in a same or similarmanner by any of the herein-described users, patients, healthcareproviders, or healthcare payers.

[0222] The apparatus of FIGS. 7A and 7B can also utilize electronicsignatures and/or process electronic signatures and/or electronicsignature information which can correspond to any of theherein-described parties in performing any of the herein-describedprocessing routines and/or functions.

[0223] In another preferred embodiment, the apparatus and method of thepresent invention can be utilized to ensure that a proper treatmentand/or procedure is performed on the patient. Referring once again toFIGS. 7A and 7B and the above description of same, the present inventioncan be utilized to ensure that a subsequent treatment and/or treatmentsare performed as prescribed. As noted above with reference to FIG. 6and, in particular, a final diagnosis and prescribed treatment is storedin the patient's file or records in the database 10H of the centralprocessing computer.

[0224] When the patient seeks treatment from a subsequent medicaldoctor, surgeon, or other healthcare professional, the medical doctor,surgeon, or other healthcare professional, can access the centralprocessing computer 10 at the time of treatment, access the patient'smedical history and prescribed treatment plan and assess same in orderto make sure that the treatment to be provided is called for in theprescribed treatment. In this manner, the present invention can beutilized in order to prevent medical and/or surgical mistakes, mishapsand/or other instances when improper treatment could occur.

[0225] It is also envisioned that the subsequent care medical doctor,surgeon, or other healthcare professional, could also re-evaluate thepatient's condition and/or records and seek additional assistance and/orperform a separate and independent assessment and/or diagnosis of thepatient. In any event, the present invention can provide the subsequentcare medical doctor, surgeon, or other healthcare professional, with thepatient's complete medical history, information, past diagnoses and/orpast treatments and/or prescriptions. In this manner, a subsequent careprovider can be provided with as complete and as up to date informationas possible in order to administer treatment.

[0226] For example, the present invention can be utilized in thefollowing manner. A patient scheduled for surgery on a certain body part(i.e. left ankle) may enter the hospital. Due to a hospital clericalerror, the right ankle is noted to be operated on.

[0227] Prior to the surgery, the surgeon may access the centralprocessing computer 10, via a provider communication device 20 locatedin the operating room, and/or another location in the hospital, in orderto verify the procedure to be performed. In response thereto, thecentral processing computer 10 will transmit a message that it is theleft ankle which is to be operated on. Thereafter, the surgeon caninvestigate the situation and ensure that the correct and prescribedsurgery and/or procedure is performed. Once the surgery is completed,the patient's record will be updated accordingly. While a surgicalprocedure is described, it is important to note that any treatment,procedure, etc., which can be performed by any healthcare professionaldescribed herein, and/or in any healthcare field described herein, canbe verified in the above-described manner. In this manner, the presentinvention can be utilized to pre-screen subsequent and/or follow-uptreatments and/or procedures so as to prevent healthcare mistakes and/ormishaps.

[0228] The embodiment of FIGS. 7A and 7B can perform diagnoses byutilizing entered data and/or information and/or data and/or informationwhich can be obtained by, acquired by, and/or measured by, any of theherein-described user input devices 20D.

[0229] In another preferred embodiment, the healthcare professional canaccess the central processing computer 10 via the provider communicationdevice 20, access the patient's or client's record and input informationconcerning the treatment and/or procedure to be performed. Thereafter,the central processing computer 10 can process the information andtransmit a message to the healthcare professional notifying thehealthcare professional that the treatment and/or procedure is eitherthe prescribed treatment or procedure or that it is not the prescribedtreatment and/or procedure. The message provided by the centralprocessing computer, to the treating healthcare professional, can alsoinclude information regarding the treatment and/or the procedure, suchas instructions, steps, and/or any other accompanying information.

[0230] In any and/or all of the embodiments described herein, thecentral processing computer 10, in performing any processing of patientinformation, diagnosis information, and/or treatment information,described herein, can perform such processing in conjunction with drugand/or other treatment interaction information so as to provide an addedsafeguard in the diagnosis and treatment planning processes. Any and/orall processing described herein is also performed in conjunction witheach patient's medical history, family history, allergic conditionsinformation, and/or with any other information deemed important and/oressential in the individual's healthcare diagnoses and/or treatments.

[0231] In another preferred embodiment, the present invention can beutilized to perform treatment evaluations and/or treatment monitoring.In this manner, the present invention can be utilized by any of theproviders, payers, patients, users, and/or intermediaries, describedherein to evaluate and/or monitor treatments, provide training and/oroversight for healthcare providers and/or professionals, and/or allowpayer and/or insurance companies to evaluate treatments, treatmentplans, treatment progress, and/or any other evaluations and/orverifications for healthcare claims processing. In this embodiment, thepresent invention can be utilized so as to safeguard against the use ofincorrect and/or unconventional and/or fraudulent treatment and/or care.

[0232]FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate another preferred embodiment of amethod of use of the present invention, in flow diagram form. FIGS. 8Aand 8B illustrate a preferred embodiment method of use of the presentinvention in order to evaluate and/or monitor treatments, treatmentplans and/or the administration of healthcare. While described as beingutilized by payers and/or an insurance company in evaluating and/ormonitoring treatment, it is important to note that the embodiment ofFIGS. 8A and 8B can be utilized by any provider, patient, user,including healthcare students and/or healthcareprofessionals-in-training, or other providers, and/or intermediary, forobtaining the information provided by the embodiment of FIGS. 8A and 8Band utilizing it any manner they see fit.

[0233] With reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the operation of the apparatus100 commences at step 800. At step 801, the payer or payer's employee oragent (hereinafter, for simplicity, referred to at payer's employee) canaccess the central processing computer 10. At step the payer's employeecan enter information concerning the patient, the treatment, and/orcare, which is desired to be evaluated and/or monitored.

[0234] At step 802, the central processing computer 10 will access thedatabase 10H and obtain patient information, patient medical history,family history, if pertinent, symptom information, provider information,diagnostic report information, treatment report information, finaldiagnoses information, prescribed treatment information, and/or anyother information which can be relevant and/or pertinent. Any and/or allof the information described above can be stored in the database 10Hfrom prior processing and/or use of the present invention. Other dataand/or information can also be obtained from the payer's employee and/orfrom other third party and/or outside sources.

[0235] At step 803, the central processing computer 10 will perform aprocessing routine in conjunction with the above-described informationin order to determine if the diagnoses and associated and/or relatedtreatment or treatments are appropriate and/or in-line with currentstandards for the given healthcare field. The central processingcomputer 10 can also calculate and/or provide statistical informationregarding any of diagnoses and/or treatments under study. At step 804,the central processing computer 10 will generate an evaluation reportwhich will provide data and information regarding the informationobtained from step 803.

[0236] The central processing computer 10 can then, at step 805,transmit the evaluation report and/or any other appropriate information,to the payer communication device 30. The central processing computer,in another preferred embodiment, can, at step 803 and/or at step 804,determine and/or provide, as part of the evaluation report, informationconcerning whether the diagnoses and/or treatments are consideredappropriate and/or valid, and/or in-line with standards, as well asrecommend that claims for the treatment(s) are valid and should be paidby the payer, and/or that the claims for the treatment(s) are invalidand should be denied.

[0237] Thereafter, at step 806, the payer or the payer's employee canreview the evaluation report and take any action deemed appropriate. Atstep 807, the payer or payer's employee can transmit data and/orinformation regarding the payer's or payer employee's action and/ordecision. Step 807 is an optional step and can be dispensed with if thepayer or payer's employee chooses not to respond to and/or to transmitinformation to, the central processing computer 10. Thereafter, theoperation of the apparatus will cease at step 808.

[0238] The apparatus of FIGS. 8A and 8B can also utilize electronicsignatures and/or process electronic signatures and/or electronicsignature information which can correspond to any of theherein-described parties in performing any of the herein-describedprocessing routines and/or functions.

[0239] The present invention when utilized as described in FIGS. 8A and8B, can provide treatment evaluation and/or monitoring for healthcarepayers which can be utilized for performing claims processing, providerevaluations, patient evaluations, and/or any other useful and/or desiredpurpose. The present invention, when utilized as described in FIGS. 8Aand 8B, can also be utilized by any provider, patient, payer, user,and/or intermediary, to evaluate and/or monitor treatments, evaluateproviders, evaluate patients, evaluate payers, ascertain payers claimspaying and/or processing traits, and/or for educational purposes and/orfor any other useful and/or desired purpose.

[0240] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, theapparatus and method of the present invention can be utilized to createand maintain a comprehensive patient healthcare database. FIGS. 9A and9B illustrate another preferred embodiment use of the present invention,in flow diagram form. With reference to FIGS. 9A and 9B, the operationof the apparatus 100 commences at step 900.

[0241] At step 901, the patient will access the central processingcomputer 10 and provide identification information. At step 902, thecentral processing computer 10 will determine whether the patient has anaccount and/or a file with the central processing computer and/or theservice utilizing same. If, at step 902, it is determined that thepatient does not have an account with the central processing computer10, the processing will proceed to step 903 and patient will be promptedand/or asked to fill out any necessary forms and/or answer questions soas to provide a comprehensive medical history and family history, ifpossible.

[0242] All provided data and/or information will be stored in thedatabase 10H and a patient account, file and/or record will be createdat step 903. Thereafter, processing will proceed to step 904. If, atstep 902, the patient is determined to have an account with the centralprocessing computer, processing will proceed directly to step 904.

[0243] At step 904, the patient will provide information concerning thepresent healthcare request and present provider information. At step905, the central processing computer 10, will then determine if thepresent provider is a new provider. If, at step 905, it is determinedthat the present provider is a new provider, the central processingcomputer 10 will proceed to step 906 and update the patient's files orrecords so as to include the present provider as a new provider for thepatient. Thereafter, the central processing computer 10 will proceed tostep 907 and will process and store, in the database 10H and/or in thepatient's files or records, any pertinent patient information, symptoms,diagnoses and/or treatments, final diagnosis and/or prescribedtreatment, for the provider visit or for the event or occurrence.

[0244] If, however, at step 905, it is determined that the presentprovider is an existing provider for the patient, the central processingcomputer 10 will proceed directly to step 907 and process and store, inthe database 10H and/or in the patient's files or records, any pertinentpatient information, symptoms, diagnoses and/or treatments, finaldiagnosis and/or prescribed treatment, for the provider visit or for theevent or occurrence. Thereafter, operation of the present invention willcease at step 908.

[0245] The apparatus of FIGS. 9A and 9B can also utilize electronicsignatures and/or process electronic signatures and/or electronicsignature information which can correspond to any of theherein-described parties in performing any of the herein-describedprocessing routines and/or functions.

[0246] In this manner, the present invention can be utilized so as tocreate and maintain a comprehensive healthcare patient database whichcan be accessed by any provider, payer, intermediary, and/or other partyor user, in order to access the patient's healthcare files and/orrecords. The comprehensive database, which in the preferred embodimentof the present invention, is stored and/or maintained in the database10H of the central processing computer 10, can contain and/or store anyof the data and/or information obtained from, and/or provided by, anyand/or all of the herein-described embodiments of the present invention.

[0247] The comprehensive database provides a data and/or informationsource which can be accessed by any provider, from anywhere in theworld, and at any time, in order to obtain information about a patientin his, her, or its care. For example, a patient traveling far from homeand out of reach by his or her current healthcare provider can betreated by another provider who can access the central processingcomputer 10, from any location, and at any time, and obtain up-to-dateand/or comprehensive patient healthcare and/or medical and familyhistory information, current healthcare and/or medical condition,current treatment and/or care and/or any other information which canfacilitate optimal healthcare and/or medical treatment.

[0248] In the same manner, new providers can obtain existing informationconcerning healthcare and/or medical history, family history, currenthealthcare conditions and/or treatments as well as any other informationfrom the central processing computer 10, Thereby allowing the newprovider to obtain accurate information and dispensing with the need toobtain same form the patient. The information provided from the presentinvention can also assist the provider in diagnosing the patient.Providers can also utilize the comprehensive database in order toascertain past and/or current providers who may be contacted forassistance and/or for insight in the treatment process.

[0249] In a similar manner, payers can utilize the comprehensivedatabase in order to ascertain payer eligibility, the existence ofpre-existing conditions and/or to obtain any other useful information.

[0250] In another preferred embodiment, the present invention can beutilized in order to find and/or to locate providers and/or payers of,and for, respectively, various healthcare treatments, healthcareservices and/or healthcare goods or products and/or healthcare-relatedgoods or products. Information regarding the various providers and/orpayers, along with information regarding the services and/or goods orproducts they provide and/or pay for, respectively, is stored in thedatabase 10H.

[0251]FIG. 10 illustrates another preferred embodiment method ofutilizing the present invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 10, thepresent invention can be utilized by any patient, user, provider, payer,and/or intermediary, in order to locate a provider and/or a payer ofhealthcare and/or healthcare-related services, goods, or products. Forexample, assume that a patient has been recently diagnosed as needing anoperation to repair his vision. The patient or his provider would needto find a doctor who specializes in performing the needed surgicalprocedure. The present invention can thereafter be utilized to locate aspecialist for performing that function.

[0252] With reference to FIG. 10, operation of the apparatus 100commences at step 1000. At step 1001, the patient or provider accessesthat central processing computer 10 and provides information regardingthe service needed. At step 1002, the central processing computer 10will process the request and identify one or more specialists along withtheir backgrounds, insurance coverage accepted, fees, and/or anyeducational, professional experience and/or any other information aboutthe provider. At step 1003, the central processing computer 10 cangenerate a provider report and transmit same to the patient or providerat step 1004. Thereafter, operation of the apparatus ceases at step1005.

[0253] In a similar manner, the embodiment of FIG. 10 can be utilized tofind a facility for receiving a certain and/or desired form of careand/or for obtaining a certain procedure. In this embodiment, thefacility is defined to be the provider and the present invention can beutilized as described above.

[0254] In another similar manner, the embodiment of FIG. 10 can beutilized to find a payer or insurance company for providing desiredcoverage and/or for paying for certain treatments and/or procedures. Inthe case of locating payers, the method of FIG. 10 can be repeated forlocating payers for certain healthcare services, goods or products.

[0255] At step 1001, the patient or provider accesses that centralprocessing computer 10 and provides information regarding the coverageneeded. At step 1002, the central processing computer 10 will processthe request and identify one or more payers along with information aboutthe payer or payers. At step 1003, the central processing computer 10can generate a payer report and transmit same to the patient or providerat step 1004. Thereafter, operation of the apparatus ceases at step1005.

[0256] In another similar manner, the embodiment of FIG. 10 can beutilized to find and/or locate supplies, body organs, blood,medications, and/or any other goods, products, and/or supplies, etc. Inthis embodiment, the identification, location, cost, etc., of any of theabove goods, products, supplies, organs etc., can be stored in thedatabase 10H.

[0257] With reference to FIG. 10, operation of the apparatus 100commences at step 1000. At step 1001, the patient or provider accessesthat central processing computer 10 and provides information regardingthe supply, body organ, blood, medication, and/or any other good,product, or supply or supplies needed.

[0258] At step 1002, the central processing computer 10 will process therequest and identify the existence and/or location of the respectivesupply, body organ, blood, medication, and/or any other good, product,or supply or supplies, along with its location, cost and any otherpertinent information. At step 1003, the central processing computer 10can generate a report and transmit same to the patient or provider atstep 1004. Thereafter, operation of the apparatus ceases at step 1005.

[0259] In another similar manner, the embodiment of FIG. 10 can beutilized to find a payer or insurance company for providing desiredcoverage and/or for paying for certain treatments and/or procedures. Inthe case of locating payers, the method of FIG. 10 can be repeated forlocating payers for certain healthcare services, goods or products. Atstep 1001, the patient or provider accesses that central processingcomputer 10 and provides information regarding the coverage needed. Atstep 1002, the central processing computer 10 will process the requestand identify one or more payers along with information about the payeror payers. At step 1003, the central processing computer 10 can generatea payer report and transmit same to the patient or provider at step1004. Thereafter, operation of the apparatus ceases at step 1005.

[0260] The embodiment of FIG. 10 can also be utilized by intermediaries,such as insurance brokers who need to find certain insurance companiesand/or payers who meet the needs of certain patients and/or clients,and/or other individuals and/or third parties.

[0261] In another preferred embodiment of FIG. 10, any patient, user,provider, payer, and/or intermediary can request to be notified of theavailability of a provider, the emergence of a patient in need of acertain care, the availability of a payer or an insurance company tooffer a policy or a certain policy, the availability of a healthcarefacility to provide certain care, the availability of certain supplies,a body organ, a blood type, an expiration of an insurance policy (i.e.healthcare insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, etc.,)and/or the occurrence of any event which may be of interest to any ofthe patients, users, providers, payers, and/or intermediaries, describedherein.

[0262] In this embodiment, the party requesting to be notified of theevent or occurrence, whichever it may be, (hereinafter the “requestingparty”), can access the central processing computer 10 via theirrespective communication device. Thereafter, the requesting party canenter his request, provide any conditions attached to the request, andprovide contact information. The central processing computer 10 canprocess the information received from the requesting party and store allpertinent information in the database 10H.

[0263] Thereafter, another party (hereinafter the “supplying party”)contacts the central processing computer 10, either to enter informationabout the occurrence of an event and/or the availability of a service, agood or products, and/or any other herein-described and/or envisionedoccurrence and/or good, product and/or service availability, or toreview requests which have been previously submitted, which thesupplying party may be interested in responding to.

[0264] If the entry of the supplying party can satisfy a request of arequesting party, and/or if the supplying party desires to satisfy arequest of a requesting party, the central processing computer 10 willgenerate and/or transmit an e-mail message, a beeper or pager message,and/or a telephone call, and/or other communication to the communicationdevice of the requesting party.

[0265] The communication or message can include information for bringthe requesting party and the supplying party together to act towardseffecting and/or consummating the transaction. Thereafter, uponnotification to the central processing computer by either the requestingparty and/or the supplying party, or both, the central processingcomputer 10 can remove the request from the database 10H. In thismanner, the central processing computer 10 and/or the apparatus 100 canbe utilized as a clearinghouse for effecting transactions for any of theservices, goods, products, and/or any other entities described herein.

[0266] In another preferred embodiment, the present invention can beutilized to schedule appointments with any of the patients, providers,payers, and/or intermediaries, described herein. In this manner, forexample, can make an appointment with the provider over thecommunication network which services the present invention.

[0267]FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate another preferred embodiment methodof using the present invention, in flow diagram form. In the embodimentof FIGS. 11A and 11B, provider scheduling information can be stored inthe database 10H. Operation of the apparatus 100 commences at step 1100.At step 1101, the patient accesses the central processing computer 10and requests the schedule or schedules of a provider or a number ofproviders. At step 1102, the central processing computer 10 provides theschedule information to the patient. At step 1103, the patient canselect the appointment he or she wishes to make.

[0268] At step 1104, the appointment information is transmitted to andreceived at the central processing computer 10. At step 1105, thecentral processing computer 10 will update the provider's schedule toreflect the new appointment. At step 1106, the central processingcomputer 10 will transmit a signal, such as an e-mail and/or othertransmission and/or communication to provider communication device 20 tonotify the provider and to update the providers schedule on the providercomputer 20. In the preferred embodiment, the scheduling files stored onthe database 10H of the central processing computer 10 and the database20H on the provider communication device 20, and/or any portions and/orfields, or records, of same, can be dynamically linked to one another sothat changes made to the schedule or schedules by either the centralprocessing computer and/or on the provider communication device will bereflected in real-time so as to ensure that the most up-to-dateschedules are available at all times.

[0269] Operation of the apparatus 100 will thereafter cease at step1107. In another preferred embodiment, the central processing computerand/or the provider communication device can generate and/or transmit ane-mail to the patient communication device 40 in order to confirm theappointment and/or to serve as a reminder to the patient.

[0270] In the same manner, any patient, user, provider, payer, and/orintermediary can utilize the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 11A and 11Bin order to schedule an appointment with any other patient, user,provider, payer, and/or intermediary, described herein.

[0271] In another preferred embodiment, the present invention can beutilized by intermediaries, such as, but not limited to brokers,insurance brokers, agents, and others, in order to service theirrespective clients. For example, the database 10H can contain insurancepolicy information, conditions, premiums, insurers providing same, aswell as any other useful information in servicing insured's needs. Thedatabase 10H can also contain client information, policy requirementsfor any of the health insurance, life insurance, and/or disabilityinsurance, policies in force for the insured along with premiums paidand/or expiration dates.

[0272] In another preferred embodiment, a broker, for example canprepare policy quotes, compare available policies, generate policies,and service policy claims via the information provided by the centralprocessing computer 10 and/or the apparatus 100 of the presentinvention. The broker may also request to be notified, electronicallyand/or otherwise via a message generated and/or transmitted via thecentral processing computer 10, of times and/or instances when aninsured's policy is up for renewal.

[0273] The broker may then utilize any of the information provided by,and/or contained in, the database 10H of the present invention in orderto respond to an insured client's needs and/or requests, such as, butnot limited to preparing policy quotes for comparison, finding a policyand/or policies for addressing the insured's particular needs, assistingin resolving claims issues and/or claims processing issues, and/orassisting and/or providing any other information which could allow thebroker or other intermediary to provide assistance to, and/or to provideadded value to its client or clients.

[0274] In this, manner, the present invention can provide a platform forallowing a broker to provide improved services to his or her insuredwhile also providing for a more paperless working relationship.

[0275] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, thepresent invention can be utilized in order to provide notification toany of the patients, providers, payers, users, and/or intermediaries.For example, a medical specialist can be electronically and/or otherwisenotified if a patient is diagnosed with an illness and/or a conditionwhich he or she specializes in treating.

[0276] As another example, a payer can be electronically and/orotherwise notified when a patient may be admitted to a hospital and/orother facility for care. The present invention can also be utilized toelectronically and/or otherwise notify a provider when his or herpatient has been diagnosed with an illness even when the patient may notbe under the provider's care, and/or to notify a patient if a providerhas become available to perform a treatment and/or a procedure on,and/or for, the patient.

[0277] The present invention can also be utilized in order to providenotification, electronically and/or otherwise, to any respective party,regarding any event, happening, and/or occurrence, which is describedherein and/or which may be reasonably foreseen from the comprehensivenature of the present invention in providing comprehensive healthcareprocessing.

[0278]FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate another preferred embodiment methodof utilizing the present invention, in flow diagram form. In thepreferred embodiment of FIGS. 12A and 12B, the present invention canprovide notification to any respective party, electronically and/orotherwise, in response to the occurrence of an event, happening, and/oroccurrence.

[0279] While the description of the embodiment of FIGS. 12A and 12B willbe directed to notifying a doctor or other healthcare provider when apatient requires the provider's treatment and/or care, it is importantto note that the embodiment of the FIGS. 12A and 12B can be utilized soas to provide notification services and/or functionality for any definedevent, happening, and/or occurrence, and to any of the respectivepatients, users, providers, payers, and/or intermediaries, describedherein.

[0280] The operation of the apparatus 100 commences at step 1200. Atstep 1201, the provider can access the central processing computer 10.At step 1202, the provider can select and/or enter the informationconcerning the notifying event, happening, and/or occurrence, and/or theconditions for notifying the provider. For example, an obstetrician canrequest to be notified when a pregnant patient enters a hospital inlabor. At step 1203, the central processing computer 10 processes theabove information. At step 1204, the central processing computer 10,upon receiving information concerning the pregnant patient's admissionto the hospital, will process the pregnant patient's information.

[0281] At step 1205, the central processing computer 10 will identifyand/or ascertain that the provider's condition for notification has beenmet or has been triggered. Thereafter, at step 1206, the centralprocessing computer will generate an appropriate message to notify theprovider. At step 1207, the central processing computer 10 can transmitthe notification message to the provider's communication device as anyone or more of an e-mail, a beeper or pager message, a telephone call,and/or in any other manner. The central processing computer 10 can alsotransmit multiple notification messages to multiple communicationdevices such as a computer, a personal digital assistant, a beeper orpager and/or a telephone. Thereafter, operation of the apparatus willcease at step 1208.

[0282] In a similar manner, a payer may also request to be notified uponthe admission of a patient to a hospital and/or other care facility. Apatient may also request that certain providers and/or payers benotified by the present invention of an event, happening, and/oroccurrence involving the patient. There is no limit to the scenariosand/or alternate embodiments in which the present invention can beutilized in order to provide notification to any of the patients, users,providers, payers, and/or intermediaries, described herein.

[0283] In still another preferred embodiment, the present invention canbe utilized to facilitate healthcare claims processing. Any of thepatients, providers, payers, users, and/or intermediaries, can fileclaims with the respective party electronically via the presentinvention. The claim forms for each payer and/or other party can beaccessed from the respective party's communication device, filled outand submitted electronically by the claiming party or claimant. Anyand/or all submissions can be electronically dated and/or otherwisemarked, the status of the claim can be provided to the claimant at anytime and any interested third parties may be notified of any actiontaken on a claim.

[0284]FIGS. 13A, 13B and 13C illustrate a method of utilizing thepresent invention to perform claims processing services. While it isunderstood that any appropriate party can file claims with any partydescribed herein, for simplicity, a preferred embodiment where providersand/or patients file claims is described herein. The method, however,can be adapted for use by any party described herein.

[0285] With reference to FIGS. 13A, 13B and 13C, operation of theapparatus 100 commences at step 1300. At step 1301, the provider orpatient, whichever the case may be, accesses the central processingcomputer 10 via the respective communication device 20 or 40. At step1302, the provider or patient enters a request to make a claim.

[0286] At step 1303, the central processing computer 10 will record anyinformation regarding the claim request and, thereafter, at step 1304,link the provider or patient directly to the respective payercommunication device 30. At step 1305, the provider or patient canrequest a claim form. At 1306, the claim form will be transmitted fromthe payer communication device 30, via the central processing computer10, which will record the occurrence of same, to the communicationdevice 20 or 40 of the respective provider or patient. The provider orpatient can fill out the form on the respective communication device 20or 40 at step 1307.

[0287] At step 1308, the provider or patient transmits the completedform to the payer communication device 30 via the central processingcomputer 10 which will record the occurrence of same. At step 1309, thepayer will process the claim and, at step 1310, generate a claim reportor statement. At step 1311, the claim report or statement is transmittedto the central processing computer 10, which can record the occurrenceas well as the action taken by the payer (i.e. claim approved ordenied).

[0288] Thereafter, the central processing computer 10 will, at step1312, transmit the claim report or statement to the communication device20 or 40, respectively, of the provider or patient. Thereafter, at step1313, the provider or patient can provide the additional informationand/or re-submit the claim form to the central processing computer. Atstep 1314, the central processing computer 10 will determine if theprovider or patient has provided additional information and/or hasdecided to resubmit the claim.

[0289] If, at step 1314, it is determined that additional informationhas been provided and/or that the claim is to be resubmitted, theprocessing will proceed to step 1308 and the processing of steps 1308through 1314 will be repeated until a resolution is reached between theparties involved. Thereafter, the operation of the apparatus 100 willcease at step 1315. If at step 1314, it is determined that no newadditional information has been submitted and/or that the claim is notto be resubmitted then the operation of the apparatus 100 will cease atstep 1315.

[0290] In this manner, the present invention can facilitate an expeditedand/or a paperless claim process. Further, records of the transactions,such as, but not limited to claim request, claim form request and/ordelivery, claim submission, claim processing, claim report or statement,claim re-submission, provision of additional information, and/or anyand/or all other transactions, which occur during the claim processingprocedure or process, can be recorded and maintained at the centralprocessing computer 10 so as to provide for a third party record and/ormonitoring of same.

[0291] The central processing computer 10, can notify any partydescribed herein, as well as any third parties, regarding any event,happening, occurrence, and/or any aspect of any claim submission and/orprocessing activities. For example, a provider can be notified atregular interval on a payer's or payers decisions to pay for certaintreatments and/or procedures. Similarly, a patient's employer can benotified regarding claim payments made by its group health insurer so asto ensure that its employees are being properly serviced and/or providedfor. Other information may similarly be provided to any appropriaterequesting party described herein and/or any qualified and/orappropriate third party. Notification can be provided to any appropriateparty, via any of the communication methods and/or techniques describedherein, and can be for, and/or include, any pertinent information.

[0292] The apparatus of FIGS. 13A and 13B can also utilize electronicsignatures and/or process electronic signatures and/or electronicsignature information which can correspond to any of theherein-described parties in performing any of the herein-describedprocessing routines and/or functions.

[0293] In another preferred embodiment, the present invention canprovide for automatic claim submission via the central processingcomputer 10 once a final diagnosis and treatment has been prescribed bya provider and/or upon the occurrence of an examination and/or theadministration of a treatment. FIGS. 14A and 14B illustrate anotherpreferred embodiment method of utilizing the present invention.

[0294] With reference to FIGS. 14A and 14B, operation of the apparatus100 commences at step 1400. At step 1401, the patient's symptoms, ifany, and/or examination findings are obtained from the patient andtransmitted from the provider communication device 20 to the centralprocessing computer 10. The central processing computer 10 will, at step1402 receive and process the patient symptoms, if any, and/or theexamination findings, in conjunction with the patient's medical historyand/or other information, medical theories, principles, criteria and/orother medical information needed to make a diagnosis. At step 1403, thecentral processing computer 10 will perform a comprehensive diagnosticevaluation of the patient's symptoms, if any, and/or the examinationfindings.

[0295] At step 1404, the central processing computer 10 will generate adiagnostic report which can include a diagnosis of the patient'scondition. The diagnostic report which is generated at step 1404 can, ifneeded, include a single diagnosis and/or a list of possible diagnosesalong with their respective probabilities, which may pertain to thepatient's condition. At step 1405, the central processing computer 10can then generate, if needed, a treatment report which will outlineand/or prescribe treatment for the single diagnosis and/or for the listof possible diagnoses. The central processing computer 10, whengenerating the treatment report, can, if needed, process same inconjunction with, and consider, possible drug interactions and/ortreatment interactions.

[0296] At step 1406, the central processing computer 10 will transmitthe diagnostic report and/or treatment report to the provider'scommunication device 20 at which point the medical doctor can obtain thediagnosis or possible diagnoses and corresponding treatment plans, ifany. The medical doctor can then review the diagnostic report and/ortreatment report and choose a final diagnosis and/or treatment plan toadminister to the patient. At step 1407, the medical doctor willtransmit the final diagnosis and treatment plan, including theprescribed treatment and/or treatment plan, to the central processingcomputer 10. At step 1408, the central processing computer will thenupdate the patient's records in the database 10H so as to include all ofthe data and information described as being processed and/or generatedby the central processing computer 10, including, but not limited to thepatient's symptoms, the information contained in the diagnostic reportand the treatment report, the final diagnosis and the prescribedtreatment.

[0297] Thereafter, at step 1409, the central processing computer 10 willgenerate a claim form which can meet the formal claim submissionrequirements of the patient's payer or insurance company. At step 1410,the claim form will be submitted by the central processing computer 10to the respective payer computer 30. At step 1411, any and/or allpertinent information regarding the claim submission, the patient, theprovider visit, and/or any diagnoses and/or treatments considered, thefinal diagnosis and/or the prescribed treatment, can be stored and thepatient's records will then be updated and be available for thepatient's next treatment and/or diagnosis.

[0298] The operation of the apparatus 100 will then cease at step 1412.In this manner, the present invention can provide for the automaticand/or for the programmed submission of healthcare claims, claim forms,claim requests, benefit requests, etc., upon the conclusion of aprovider's service, consultation, treatment, procedure, and/or any otherevent which triggers coverage under a healthcare insurance policy and/ora payer's liability to pay for services and/or treatments.

[0299] In the embodiment of FIGS. 14A and 14D, as well as any and/or allof the other embodiments described herein, the present invention canutilize and/or process electronic signatures in order to effectuateand/or process any of the respective transactions which are described astaking place between, and/or which can transpire involving, any of therespective parties described herein. Applicant hereby incorporates byreference herein the subject matter and teachings of AppliedCryptography, Second Edition, Bruce Schneier, Wiley, 1996.

[0300] The present invention can also be utilized, in the mannerdescribed above, in connection with claiming healthcare insurancebenefits, to claim disability insurance benefits and/or life insurancebenefits.

[0301] In another preferred embodiment, the apparatus 100 can administerand/or maintain financial accounts for, and/or on behalf of, any of thepatients, users, providers, payers, and/or intermediaries, describedherein. In this manner, any of the parties described herein as utilizingthe services of the apparatus 100, and/or the central processingcomputer 10, can have all financial transaction managed and/or monitoredby the central processing computer 10. In the preferred embodiment, thefinancial accounts can be conventional savings accounts, checkingaccount, credit accounts, debit accounts, electronic money accounts,digital money accounts, etc., and/or any other appropriate account(s).

[0302] In the preferred embodiment, any of the respective parties mayselect to have the central processing computer 10 administer anyfinancial transactions on their behalf. For example, a payer may deposita sum of money which can be ear-marked for payment of healthcareprovider services. A provider may open an account and deposit a sum ofmoney to pay any vendor bills. The provider may also open an account toreceive payment from payers and/or patients for services rendered. Eachtime a financial transaction is to occur, such as, for example, thepayment from a payer to a provider resulting from a patient's claim, thecentral processing computer 10 will transfer funds (and/or deduct funds)from the payer's account and deposit the funds (and/or add the funds) tothe providers account. Notwithstanding the examples provided above, thecentral processing computer 10 can effectuate any type of financialtransaction(s) for, between, and/or on behalf of, any of the partiesdescribed herein. Further, the apparatus 100 and/or the centralprocessing computer 10 can process electronic signatures which can beassociated with and/or which can correspond to any of the respectiveparties to a transaction.

[0303] The central processing computer 10, in the preferred embodiment,can maintain detailed records of any and/or all of such transfer and/ortransactions and provide periodic account statements to the respectiveparties maintaining accounts with the central processing computer 10. Inthis manner, the present invention can provide an apparatus and a methodfor maintaining financial accounts, effecting financial transactions,and providing accounting and/or other notification services, for, and/oron behalf, any of the parties described herein.

[0304] In another preferred embodiment, the apparatus and method of thepresent can be utilized as healthcare training simulator for any of theproviders, healthcare providers, healthcare professionals, and/or otherproviders described herein. The present invention can also be utilizedby any user and/or individual wishing to learn about a certainhealthcare field or topic. The present invention can be utilized toprovide formal training, supplemental training, informal training,continuing education training, and/or any other training.

[0305]FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrates another preferred embodiment methodfor utilizing the present invention, in flow diagram form. The operationof the apparatus commences at step 1500. At step 1501, the individualutilizing the training simulator (referred to hereinafter as “the user”)who could be any provider, student provider, and/or any other individualand/or party described herein, can access the central processingcomputer 10 via an appropriate computer or communication device. At step1502, the user can select the training program which he or she wishes totrain from. At step 1503, the central processing computer 10 willtransmit the training scenario and/or information, including thesymptoms and/or conditions of a hypothetical patient. The trainingscenario can include any one or more of text information, a video tappedfile or video clip, audio information, and/or any other multimediainformation.

[0306] At step 1504, the user can enter his or her diagnosis andprescribed treatment and/or treatments for the presented scenario andtransmit same to the central processing computer 10. At step 1505, theuser's diagnosis and prescribed treatment can be applied to thescenario. At step 1506, the central processing computer 10 will comparethe diagnosis against any diagnosis or diagnoses which are known to becorrect and/or against any scientific and/or statistical norms. At step1506, the central processing computer 10 will apply the prescribedtreatment or treatments to the hypothetical patient and compute arevised set of symptoms and/or conditions which can result from theapplied treatment and/or treatments. Once again, statistical informationcan be utilized to arrive at a realistic response to the treatmentand/or treatments. The user's diagnosis and prescribed treatment, aswell as information regarding the correctness and/or viability of samecan be recorded by the central processing computer 10 at step 1506.

[0307] At step 1507, the central processing computer 10 will transmit aresponse to the user's diagnosis and prescribed treatment. The responsecan include the patient's response to the prescribed treatment, and/oran evaluation of the diagnosis and prescribed treatment or treatments.The response can also include training materials, which can include anyone or more of text information, video information, and/or audioinformation. At step 1508, the user can review the material and/orinformation contained in the response and can decide whether he or shewishes to continue the training simulation. At step 1509, the user willtransmit a response to the central processing computer 10 which containsan instruction to either continue the simulation, in which case theuser's response will also include a revised diagnosis and prescribedtreatment or treatments, or to terminate the training simulation.

[0308] At step 1510, the central processing computer 10 will receive andprocess the user's response provided at step 1509. At step 1511, thecentral processing computer 10 will determine whether the user desiresto continue the simulation or whether the user desires to terminate thesimulation. If, at step 1511, it is determined that the user desires tocontinue the training simulation, the operation of the centralprocessing computer 10 returns to step 1505 and the above-describedprocess will be repeated from step 1505. If, however, it is determinedthat the user desires to terminate the training simulation the operationof the apparatus 100 will cease at step 1512. User responses, includingdiagnostic and treatment decisions, and/or performance, can be recordedand/or can be stored and, thereafter the information can be utilized toevaluate the user and/or for comparing the user's progress and/orimprovements, as well as aptitude and skills, in the pertinent field oftraining, and/or the information can be utilized for any other usefulpurpose.

[0309] In this manner the apparatus and method of the present inventioncan be utilized to provide an interactive healthcare training simulatorwhich can be utilized for training in any and/or all of the fields ofmedicine, surgery, psychiatry, psychology, psychotherapy, dentistry,oral surgery, nutrition, health and fitness, and/or in any otherhealthcare and/or healthcare-related field.

[0310] Data and/or information collected and/or stored by the apparatus100, which relates to symptoms and/or conditions, as well as responsesto treatments, can be utilized in order to present realistic andconfidential training scenarios. In this manner, the present inventioncan be utilized to compile a vast amount of information relating to thevarious fields of healthcare. The information can then be utilized toprovide realistic training for providers and/or student providers. Inthis manner, the present invention can utilize information obtained fromother preferred embodiments in order to provide simulated trainingscenarios.

[0311] In any and/or all of the embodiments described herein, anypatient, provider, payer, user, and/or intermediary can access any oneor more of the central processing computer(s) 10, the providerscommunication devices (20), the payer communication devices 30, thepatient communication devices 40, and/or the intermediate communicationdevices 50, via any one or more of the said computers and/orcommunication devices 10, 20, 30, 40, and/or 50, as well as via anycomputer and/or communication device. In this manner, any of theherein-described parties can access the present invention from anycomputer and/or communication device. Public kiosks with links to any ofthe computers and/or communication devices 10, 20, 30, 40, and/or 50,can also be utilized to access and utilize the present invention and/orany of the computers and/or communication devices described herein.

[0312] In any and/or all of the embodiments described herein, access toany and/or all of the data, information, records. files, etc., which isstored in any of the databases 10H, 20H, 30H, 40H, and/or 50H, can berestricted to preserve the security and confidentiality of same. Any ofthe patients, users, providers, payers, and/or intermediaries, can beprovided with identification and/or other cards with any and/or allpertinent data regarding the respective individual and/or party providedon the card.

[0313] The identification card, in the preferred embodiment can containa magnetic strip for storing any and/or all pertinent information, a“smart card” for storing information, and/or a bar code or bard codesfor storing identification information as well as any other informationdescribed herein as being pertinent to the respective patient, user,provider, payer, and/or intermediary.

[0314] Each of the central processing computer(s) 10, the providerscommunication devices 20, the payer communication devices 30, thepatient communication devices 40, and/or the intermediate communicationdevices 50, as well as any other computer and/or communication device,can include suitable devices for reading, scanning, and/or obtaininginformation which may be stored on the identification card. In thismanner, access to the present invention, and the respective use thereof,can be facilitated by the above-described identification card(s).

[0315] In another preferred embodiment, as well as in any of theembodiments described herein, intelligent agents, software agents,mobile agents, and/or related technologies, can be utilized inconjunction with the present invention. The respective intelligentagent(s), software agent(s), mobile agent(s), (hereinafter referred tocollectively as “intelligent agent” or “intelligent agents”) can beprogrammed and/or designed to act on behalf of the respective patients,users, providers, payers, and/or intermediaries, so as to act on behalfof the respective party as well as to perform any of processingfunctions and/or other functions described herein.

[0316] The intelligent agent can act on behalf of the respective partyin various related interactions and/or other activities which aredescribed as being performed herein and/or which may be incidentaland/or related thereto. Therefore, the present invention also providesan agent-based apparatus and method for providing healthcare informationand/or healthcare-related information.

[0317] Applicant hereby incorporates by reference herein the subjectmatter of the Agent Sourcebook, A Complete Guide to Desktop, Internetand Intranet Agents, by Alper Caglayan and Colin Harrison, WileyComputer Publishing, 1997. Applicant also incorporates by referenceherein the subject matter of Cool Intelligent Agents For The Net, byLeslie L. Lesnick with Ralph E. Moore, IDG Books Worldwide, Inc. 1997.

[0318] The apparatus of the present invention, in any and/or all of theembodiments described herein, can also be programmed to beself-activating and/or activated automatically.

[0319] The apparatus of the present invention can also be programmed inorder to automatically generate and/or transmit any of the e-mails,electronic message transmissions, electronic notification transmissions,and/or any of the communications, which are described herein, betweenany of the parties which utilize the present invention.

[0320] The present invention, in any and/or all of the herein-describedembodiments, can utilize electronic commerce technologies and securitymethods, techniques and technologies, as described and as set forth inElectronic Commerce Technical, Business, and Legal Issues, Nabil R.Adam, et al. Prentice Hall, 1999 and Web Security & Commerce, SimsonGarfinkel with Gene Spafford, O'Reilly 1997, the subject matter of whichare hereby incorporated by reference herein.

[0321] The communications networks and/or systems on, or over, which thepresent invention may be utilized, can include any one or combination oftelecommunication networks or systems, satellite communication networksor systems, radio communication networks or systems, digitalcommunication networks or systems, digital satellite communicationnetworks or systems, personal communications services networks orsystems, cable television networks or systems, broadband communicationnetworks or systems, low earth orbiting satellite (LEOs) networks orsystems, wireless communication networks or systems, wireless Internetnetworks or systems, wireless World Wide Web networks or systems, aswell as in, or on any internets and/or intranets, the Internet, theWorld Wide Web, and any other suitable communication network or system.

[0322] The data and/or information, described as being stored in thedatabase 10H and/or in any of the other databases described herein, canbe continuously updated so as to store the latest values for the dataand/or information and can be stored and be made available for futureprocessing routines.

[0323] Any and/or all of the data and/or information described herein,which is stored in the database 10H, or in the collection of databases,can be linked via relational database techniques and/or via anyappropriate database management techniques. The data and/or information,in the preferred embodiments, can be updated via inputs from any of thecomputers and/or communication devices 10, 20, 30, 40, and/or 50, and/orexternal computers or communication devices, described herein, inreal-time, and/or via dynamically linked database management techniques.The above-described updates can also be provided from other informationsources via the communication network.

[0324] The data and/or information which is stored in the database 10Hand/or which may be otherwise utilized with, and/or in conjunction with,the apparatus and method of the present invention, can be linked via anysuitable data linking techniques such as, for example, dynamicallylinked lists (DLLs), linked lists, and object links embedded (OLE's).Any suitable database management technique(s) may also be utilized inconjunction with the present invention.

[0325] The present invention provides an apparatus and a method forproviding comprehensive information in the healthcare fields and/orhealthcare-related fields. The present invention also provides valuableservices to the various parties who seek, provide, pay for, administer,and/or monitor healthcare services, goods and/or products as well ashealthcare-related services, goods, and/or products.

[0326] The present invention can provide comprehensive and accurateinformation to any of the parties described herein so as to facilitatean improved healthcare system which can provide up-to-date patient,provider, payer, and/or intermediary, information. The presentinvention, by facilitating the creation and maintenance of acomprehensive database of information, which can be accessed on a globalbasis, at any time of day or night, and from any location, can providepatients, providers, payers, and/or intermediaries, with informationwhich can improve healthcare treatments, reduce the likelihood of errorsin diagnoses and/or prescribed treatments, reduce healthcare costs,reduce the likelihood of incorrect and/or fraudulent care, and canprovide for a healthcare system which is characterized by an improvedquality of care and cost efficiency.

[0327] In addition to any and/or all of the preferred embodimentsdescribed herein, the present invention can also be utilized in otherpreferred embodiments so as to incorporate, so as to improve upon,and/or so as to utilize, various teachings of the prior art. In thisregard, Applicant hereby incorporates by reference herein the subjectmatter of the following U.S. Patents: U.S Pat. No. 5,988,851 whichteaches a medical treatment and or diagnostic system; U.S. Pat. No.5,974,124 which teaches a methods and system aiding medical diagnosisand treatment; U.S. Pat. No. 5,961,448 which teaches a virtual medicalinstrument for performing medical diagnostic testing on patients; U.S.Pat. No. 5,957,854 which teaches a wireless medical diagnosis andmonitoring equipment; U.S. Pat. No. 5,954,641 which teaches a method,apparatus and operating system for managing the administration ofmedication and medical treatment regimens; U.S. Pat. No. 5,935,060 whichteaches a computerized medical diagnostic and treatment advice systemincluding list based processing; U.S. Pat. No. 5,910,107 which teaches acomputerized medical diagnostic and treatment advice method; U.S. Pat.No. 5,899,857 which teaches a medical treatment method with scannerinput; U.S. Pat. No. 5,895,354 which teaches an integrated medicaldiagnostic center; U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,746 which teaches a computerizedmedical diagnostic system; U.S. Pat. No. 5,876,351 which teaches aportable modular diagnostic medical device; U.S. Pat. No. 5,868,669which teaches a computerized medical diagnostic and treatment advicesystem; U.S. Pat. No. 5,862,803 which teaches a wireless medicaldiagnosis and monitoring system; U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,438 which teaches acomputer-based neural network system and method for medical diagnosisand interpretation; U.S. Pat. No. 5,807,256 which teaches a medicalinformation processing system for supporting diagnosis; U.S. Pat. No.5,807,246 which a display device in medical examination and treatmentsystem; U.S. Pat. No. 5,801,755 which teaches an interactivecommunication system for medical treatment of remotely located patients;U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,901 which teaches an automatic activation system fora medical diagnostic monitoring and surgical apparatus and methodtherefore; U.S. Pat. No. 5,779,634 which teaches a medical informationprocessing system for supporting diagnosis; U.S. Pat. No. 5,776,057which teaches a virtual medical instrument for performing medicaldiagnostic testing on patients; U.S. Pat. No. 5,761,334 which teaches anapparatus for computer aided diagnosis of medical images having abnormalpatterns; U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,968 which teaches a computerized medicaldiagnostic system including meta function; U.S. Pat. No. 5,666,953 whichteaches a system and associated method for providing information for usein forming medical diagnosis; U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,176 which teaches acomputerized medical diagnostic and treatment advice system; U.S. Pat.No. 5,594,638 which teaches a computerized medical diagnostic systemincluding re-enter function and sensitivity factors; U.S. Pat. No.5,583,758 which teaches a health care management system for managingmedical treatments and comparing user-proposed and recommended resourcesrequired for treatment; U.S. Pat. No. 5,551,436 which teaches a medicaldiagnosis system; U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,651 which teaches a medical systemand associated method for automatic treatment; U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,278which teaches medical diagnosis system and method; U.S. Pat. No.5,415,167 which teaches a medical system and associated method forautomatic diagnosis and treatment; U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,005 which teachesa medical diagnosis device for sensing cardiac activity and blood flow;U.S. Pat. No. 5,331,550 which teaches an application of neural networksas an aid in medical diagnosis and general anomaly detection; U.S. Pat.No. 5,324,077 which teaches a medical data draft for tracking andevaluating medical treatment; U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,748 which teaches amedical diagnostic system and related method; U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,294which teaches a medical diagnostic system; U.S. Pat. No. 5,255,187 whichteaches a computer aided medical diagnostic method and apparatus; U.S.Pat. No. 5,235,510 which teaches a computer-aided diagnosis system formedical use; U.S. Pat. No. 5,090,417 which teaches a medical diagnosticapparatus; U.S. Pat. No. 4,733,354 which teaches a method and apparatusfor automated medical diagnosis using decision tree analysis; U.S. Pat.No. 4,731,725 which teaches a data processing system which suggests apattern of medical tests to reduce the number of tests necessary toconfirm or deny a diagnosis; U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,512 which teaches amedical electrode for monitoring and diagnostic use; U.S. Pat. No.4,674,108 which teaches a digital X-ray medical diagnostic apparatus;U.S. Pat. No. 4,641,659 which teaches a medical diagnostic microwavescanning apparatus; U.S. Pat. No. 4,290,114 which teaches a medicaldiagnostic computer; U.S. Pat. No. 4,251,850 which teaches a controldesk for medical apparatus, in particular for an x-ray diagnosticapparatus; U.S. Pat. No. 4,242,911 which teaches an ultrasonic medicaldiagnostic apparatus and method; U.S. Pat. No. 4,235,454 which teaches astabilization system for a medical diagnostic device; U.S. Pat. No.4,209,022 which teaches an echography apparatus for medical diagnosis,using a multiple-element probe; U.S. Pat. No. 4,170,987 which teaches amedical diagnosis system and method with multispectral imaging; U.S.Pat. No. 4,110,723 which teaches an ultrasonic apparatus for medicaldiagnosis; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,978,850 which teaches medical diagnosticinstruments.

[0328] While the present invention has been described and illustrated invarious preferred and alternate embodiments, such descriptions aremerely illustrative of the present invention and are not to be construedto be limitations thereof. In this regard, the present inventionencompasses all modifications, variations and/or alternate embodiments,with the scope of the present invention being limited only by the claimswhich follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for providing healthcareinformation, comprising: a memory device for storing information for atleast one of performing a healthcare diagnosis, prescribing a treatmentfor a healthcare diagnosis, and monitoring a treatment; a receiver forreceiving information regarding at least one of an individual's symptom,an individual's condition, and an individual's illness, wherein saidinformation is generated by a healthcare at least one of machine anddevice; a processor for processing said information in conjunction withsaid information contained in said memory device, wherein said processordetermines at least one of a diagnosis and a prescribed treatment, andfurther wherein said processor generates at least one of a diagnosticreport containing information regarding at least one of a diagnosis, apossible diagnosis, and a list of possible diagnoses, and a treatmentreport containing at least one of treatment information, druginteraction information, and treatment interaction information; and atransmitter for transmitting at least one of said diagnostic report andsaid treatment report to at least one of a user and a communicationdevice associated with a user.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 , whereinsaid receiver receives information from at least one of a user and ahealthcare provider, and further wherein said processor processes saidinformation from at least one of a user and a healthcare provider inconjunction with said information generated by said healthcare at leastone of machine and device and said information stored in said memorydevice.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said memory devicecontains information regarding a healthcare provider and a healthcarefacility, and further wherein said processor at least one of identifiesand locates at least one of a healthcare provider and a healthcarefacility capable of providing at least one of a diagnosis and atreatment for the individual.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein atleast one of said diagnostic report and said treatment report containsat least one of a textbook materials, reference materials, textinformation, video information, audio information, audio and videoinformation, a link to information, treatment information, treatmentwarning information, experimental treatment information, treatmentsuccess information, and treatment failure information.
 5. The apparatusof claim 1 , wherein said healthcare information is at least one ofmedical information, surgical information, psychiatric information,psychological information, chiropractic information, dental information,health information, and wellness information.
 6. The apparatus of claim1 , wherein said diagnostic report contains at least one of probabilityinformation and statistical information associated with a possiblediagnosis.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the communicationdevice is at least one of a personal computer, a home computer, a servercomputer, a network computer, a hand-held computer, a palmtop computer,a laptop computer, a personal communication device, a personal digitalassistant, a telephone, a digital telephone, a video telephone, atelevision, an interactive television, a beeper, a pager, and a watch.8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said receiver receives informationregarding at least one of a treatment to be administered to anindividual and a procedure to be performed on an individual, and furtherwherein said processor processes said information regarding said atleast one of a treatment to be administered to an individual and aprocedure to be performed on an individual in conjunction with at leastone of said diagnostic report and said treatment report, and furtherwherein said processor generates a treatment response message, whereinsaid treatment response message contains information for at least one ofverifying a treatment to be performed as being correct and providinginformation for correcting an incorrect treatment.
 9. An apparatus forproviding healthcare information, comprising: a memory device forstoring information regarding at least one of an event, an occurrence,and a happening, about which at least one of a healthcare provider and ahealthcare payer desires to be notified; a processor for processinginformation regarding one of an individual's healthcare condition, anindividual's healthcare symptom, and an individual's illness, inconjunction with said information regarding at least one of an event, anoccurrence, and a happening, wherein said processor detects anoccurrence of said at least one of an event, an occurrence, and ahappening, and further wherein said processor generates a notificationmessage, wherein said notification message provides notification of saidat least one of an event, an occurrence, and a happening; and atransmitter for transmitting said notification message to at least oneof the healthcare provider, a communication device associated with thehealthcare provider, the healthcare payer, and a communication deviceassociated with the healthcare payer.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 ,wherein said notification message contains at least one of textbookmaterials, reference materials, video information, audio information,audio and video information, a link to information, treatmentinformation, treatment warning information, experimental treatmentinformation, treatment success information, and treatment failureinformation, and further wherein said healthcare information is at leastone of medical information, surgical information, psychiatricinformation, psychological information, chiropractic information, dentalinformation, health information, and wellness information.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 9 , wherein the communication device is at least oneof a personal computer, a home computer, a server computer, a networkcomputer, a hand-held computer, a palmtop computer, a laptop computer, apersonal communication device, a personal digital assistant, atelephone, a digital telephone, a video telephone, a television, aninteractive television, a beeper, a pager, and a watch.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 9 , wherein said memory device contains healthcareprovider scheduling information, and further wherein said processor atleast one of schedules an appointment with a healthcare provider andupdates said scheduling information for the healthcare provider.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 12 , wherein said processor generates a notificationmessage for providing notification of the appointment to at least one ofthe individual and the healthcare provider, and further wherein saidtransmitter transmits said notification message to at least one of theindividual, a communication device associated with the individual, thehealthcare provider, and a communication device associated with thehealthcare provider.
 14. An apparatus for providing healthcareinformation, comprising: a memory device for storing informationregarding an individual, the individual's diagnosis, a treatment to beadministered to the individual, and a procedure to be performed on theindividual; at least one of an input device for entering informationregarding at least one of a treatment to be administered to theindividual and a procedure to be performed on the individual and areceiver for receiving information regarding at least one of a treatmentto be administered to the individual and a procedure to be performed onthe individual; a processor for processing said information regarding atleast one of a treatment to be administered to the individual and aprocedure to be performed on the individual in conjunction with saidinformation stored in said memory device, wherein said processorgenerates a response message, wherein said response message containsinformation for at least one of verifying at least one of a treatment tobe administered and a procedure to be performed as being correct andproviding information for correcting an incorrect at least one oftreatment and procedure.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein saidresponse message is at least one of displayed on a display device,output from an output device, and transmitted to a communication deviceassociated with a user.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein saidresponse message contains at least one of text information, videoinformation, audio information, and audio and video information.
 17. Anapparatus for providing healthcare information, comprising; a memorydevice for storing information for providing a healthcare trainingsimulation; a receiver for receiving information regarding at least oneof a healthcare diagnosis and a prescribed healthcare treatment inresponse to a presented healthcare scenario; and a processor forprocessing said information regarding at least one of a healthcarediagnosis and a prescribed healthcare treatment in response to saidpresented healthcare scenario, wherein said processor applies saidinformation regarding at least one of a healthcare diagnosis and aprescribed healthcare to said presented healthcare scenario, and furtherwherein said processor generates a revised healthcare scenario, andfurther wherein said processor stores said information regarding saidrevised healthcare scenario.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17 , furthercomprising: a transmitter for transmitting at least one of saidpresented healthcare scenario and said revised healthcare scenario, to acommunication device associated with a user.
 19. The apparatus of claim17 , wherein said processor evaluates said at least one of a healthcarediagnosis and a prescribed healthcare treatment.
 20. The apparatus ofclaim 17 , wherein said healthcare information is at least one ofmedical information, surgical information, psychiatric information,psychological information, chiropractic information, dental information,health information, and wellness information.